Hyundai reacted after around 475 people were arrested in a spacious place in Georgia during an immigration robbery where the South Korean car company produces electric vehicles.
In an email declaration to Newsweek, a spokesman for Hyundai said: “We are aware of the recent incident on the construction site of the HLA Battery Company Construction in Bryan County, Georgia.”
“We are closely monitoring the situation and working on understanding the specific circumstances,” wrote the spokesman. “From today it is our understanding that none of the detained people are used directly by the Hyundai Motor Company.”
Steven Schrank, responsible special representative and investigation for home protection, said during a news assignment on Friday that the majority of the detained people came from South Korea. He said it was the “largest operational operation of the individual locations” in the two decades of the agency.
Why is it important
President Donald Trump has initiated a nationwide approach to illegal immigration and set his campaign promise about the greatest mass deportation of such people in US history.
Immigrants in the country with legal and illegal residence residence were involved in the procedure, which caused concerns about the scope and effects of the initiative.
These effects include several negative effects on the economy, such as the total money and labor costs of deportation, with documented and documented immigrants to make up around 20 percent of the US workforce at the beginning of the year. This number fell to 19 percent in June, which, according to PEW Research Center, corresponds to a decline in more than 750,000 workers.
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What to know?
The RAID on Thursday was aimed at one of the largest production projects in Georgia, a 7.6 billion US dollar in the Hyundai Motor Group west of Savannah, which produced electric vehicles last year and employed around 1,200 employees. The heads of state and government, including governor Brian Kemp, have promoted the site as the largest economic development company in Georgia.
Agents focused on an adjoining battery system under construction, a joint project between Hyundai and LG Energy solution. In a court registration on Thursday, the federal prosecutor said that they did not yet know which company or which contractor was responsible for the employment of the “hundreds of illegal foreigners” described.
In an explanation later on Friday, Hyundai said: “Hyundai is committed to compliance with all laws and regulations in every market in which we work. This includes the requirements for the employment check and the immigration laws. We expect the same commitment of all of our partners, suppliers, contractors and subcontractors.”
The office for alcohol, tobacco, firearms and explosives (ATF) Atlanta took part in the RAID, to the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the FBI, the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), the US immigration and the customs authority (ICE), the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) and other partner authorities.
What people say
A civil servant of the Ministry of Homeland Salvation said Newsweek: “Investigations for ICE Homeland Security, a judicial search command were carried out in coordination with our law enforcement partners as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into illegal employment practices and other serious federal crimes.
“This operation underlines our commitment to the protection of jobs for Georgians, the guarantee of a level competitive area for companies that comply with the law, protect the integrity of our economy and protect employees from exploitation,” said the spokesman. “This investigation focuses on ensuring the accountability for those who violate the law and maintains the rule of law.
“Complex cases like this require strong cooperation and extensive investigative efforts, and we thank the US Ministry of Health from General Inspector, FBI, DEA, customs and border protection, ATF, IRS and the Georgia State Patrol for their invaluable support,” added the spokesman.
ATF Atlanta wrote on X: “Today, [ATF Atlanta] Hsi, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a large immigration authority in the Hyundai Mega battery system in Bryan County, GA, entered into, which led to the arrest of ~ 450 illegal aliens and emphasized our commitment to the safety of the community. “
Hyundai's explanation added, “The security and well -being of everyone who works on our websites, whether they are employed directly or work for our suppliers, has a top priority. We take our responsibility seriously, and incidents like this remember the importance of the importance of robust supervision. During our entire supply chain chain chain and the order partner. which the general stands have worked.
What happens next
Hyundai said on Friday that the Chief Manufacturing Officer of North America, Chris Susock, will now monitor Georgia's site. The company said it examined to ensure that “all suppliers and their subcontractors comply with all laws and regulations”.
Update 05.09.25, 1:41 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 9/5/25, 7:15 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and comments.
