U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said hundreds of Korean nationals detained during last week’s Georgia raid at the Hyundai–LG Energy Solutions electric vehicle battery plant will be deported, confirming the government’s plans after what officials called the largest single‑site immigration enforcement action in American history.
The operation on September 4, 2025, ended with 475 workers in custody — over 300 reported as South Korean citizens — after a sweep by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and partner agencies across the sprawling factory complex near Savannah. Federal officials said most detainees had prior removal orders or other violations of U.S. immigration law. A smaller group faces separate criminal charges. South Korea has protested the arrests, and families now wait anxiously as deportation processing moves ahead quickly under new enforcement policies.
Official rationale and on‑site actions
Secretary Noem framed the action as a message to foreign investors and suppliers building in the United States, saying, “when you come to the United States, you’ll know what the rules of the game are.” She said the aim is to make sure companies follow hiring rules and to remove workers who are not allowed to stay.
According to federal briefings:
- More than 500 officers from ICE, Border Patrol, the Department of Labor, FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, and Georgia State Patrol took part.
- Agents moved through production lines and employee areas while managers were told to halt operations.
- Advocates later described tear gas use and shouted threats — accounts the government has not confirmed but has not ruled out while internal reviews are pending.
Officials said the workplace was chosen after months of inquiries into contracting chains, recruitment, and past border entries, and that the raid followed warrants issued by federal courts.
Legal status of detainees and disputes
Officials said many of the Korean nationals taken from the Georgia plant had outstanding deportation orders — meaning an immigration judge had already ordered them removed in the past. Others allegedly overstayed visas or broke terms linked to work authorization.
However, local legal aid groups reported meeting detainees who held current work permits and had active cases with immigration agencies. If accurate, those reports raise concerns about due process and possible wrongful arrests in a fast‑moving sweep. ICE has not released a full breakdown of legal statuses, citing ongoing checks and privacy rules.
Families say phones went silent for hours as buses transferred workers to an ICE detention center run by GEO Group, a facility recently flagged for safety problems.
“If people held valid permits, database errors or confusion during the sweep could cause wrongful arrests,” — advocates who have spoken with detainees.
Processing and expedited removals
ICE stated that most detainees will be placed on fast‑track dockets and “processed for removal.” Under expedited procedures strengthened this year, many immigrants can be returned without a full hearing if they previously received a removal order or if officers decide their claims lack legal grounds.
Civil rights lawyers warn these shortcuts risk sending people out of the country who actually have legal status, pending cases, or valid defenses that require review before a judge. Asian Americans Advancing Justice‑Atlanta said it spoke with workers who showed valid permits and called for:
- Immediate releases for those wrongly detained
- Medical checks
- Access to family visits at the detention center
Scenes at the plant and public reaction
Families described chaotic scenes as heavily armed teams closed gates, sealed entrances, and funneled staff through controlled corridors. Several workers reported that their phones were taken and they could not call spouses for hours. Others said tear gas was deployed in a parking area after a crowd tried to move toward buses.
DHS declined to answer detailed questions about tactics, saying certain facts will remain protected because of ongoing criminal probes into alleged document fraud. The sight of masked agents moving through an electric vehicle hub drew global attention, especially in South Korea, where Hyundai is a national symbol. Images of Korean nationals being led away in zip‑ties sparked anger and fear.
Diplomatic response and repatriation plans
South Korea’s government lodged a sharp protest and arranged a charter flight to repatriate citizens who accept removal or who are released after processing. Consular staff visited the detention site and pressed for information about:
- Health care
- Access to phones
- Contacts with lawyers
Seoul’s trade officials warned that the scale and style of the Georgia raid could chill high‑tech investment plans tied to the electric vehicle supply chain. The Hyundai–LG facility anchors a large regional network of suppliers, many hiring Korean nationals for technical roles and start‑up tasks. Korean media aired footage of weeping spouses outside the plant and statements from children who did not understand why a parent had not come home.
Legal rights, protections, and immediate steps for families
Though officials insist most detainees are already subject to existing orders, attorneys emphasize every person retains rights, including the right to:
- Ask for legal review of removal
- Seek protection if they fear harm on return
- Request release from custody if not a flight risk
The current enforcement climate makes those options harder to use. Congress passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act earlier this year, which:
- Boosts detention budgets
- Allows longer family detention
- Trims court access for many people
New DHS rules effective in April let officers push more cases onto short timelines. Lawyers warn speed can erase defenses that require documents, translations, or expert records.
Recommended immediate actions for affected workers and families:
- Gather proof of status: cards, approval notices, letters showing pending cases.
- Store documents in an accessible place and keep digital copies.
- If a relative is detained, record the A‑Number (if given), the facility name, and any contact information supplied by officers.
- Ask for the reason for detention in plain terms and request an interpreter if needed.
- Seek counsel before signing any paper referencing removal, voluntary departure, or waiving the right to a hearing.
Community clinics report spikes in stress, high blood pressure, and sleep problems after the raid. Churches and cultural centers have opened support hotlines staffed by bilingual volunteers.
Federal guidance on employment authorization and case updates is available through U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): https://www.uscis.gov
Note: USCIS is not responsible for arrests or detention, but its records often determine whether a person has a valid work permit or a pending application.
Economic and domestic political fallout
Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions have not been accused of criminal wrongdoing in public statements by federal agencies. Still, the raid increases pressure on these companies to explain hiring and contractor vetting while they invest billions across the Southeast.
Supply chain notes:
- The plant’s suppliers include multiple staffing firms and technical service vendors from South Korea.
- Managers say the fast build‑out required engineers and electricians with specialized skills that are not easy to find locally.
- Labor groups argue companies should fund long training programs for local residents rather than rely on temporary staff who may face visa issues.
In Seoul, lawmakers across parties criticized the action and demanded briefings. Business leaders warned public anger could complicate future joint ventures. The embassy asked Washington for assurances about health care, translation services, and phone access in the detention facility.
Inside Georgia, reactions varied:
- Some state and local leaders praised enforcement as protecting local workers.
- Others warned the images of buses and armed agents could scare off investment and strain public services as families lose breadwinners.
- School districts and hospitals prepared counselors and possible medical transfers from the GEO facility.
- Mayors urged calm and encouraged residents to seek verified updates via city hotlines.
Legal concerns and next steps
Labor lawyers say the raid will test how far the government can go when many workers present proof of legal permission to work. Database errors have previously labeled people as deportable despite pending appeals or protective status. If courts later find errors, families may be separated while records are sorted.
Advocates are calling for:
- Quick legal screenings inside the detention center
- Early requests for parole or bond
- Video calls so children can see detained parents
For detainees already ordered removed, attorneys focus on safe repatriation and post‑departure assistance with taxes, bank accounts, and school records.
Broader public opinion and likely trajectory
Recent polls show growing concern that interior enforcement is too harsh, particularly when raids sweep up people with no criminal record. That shift could influence Congressional debates over detention budgets and the role of local police in federal operations.
For now, the administration has signaled no intent to slow down. Officials say the law must be applied at worksites as it is at the border, and that employers should expect audits, site visits, and arrests if they cut corners. DHS has not set a public deadline, but steady charter flights suggest removals will continue in the coming days.
Human impact and closing note
For detained workers, the immediate days hinge on quick legal help and accurate records. Some may still see a judge, particularly if they fear harm in South Korea or can show deep ties in the United States. Others will sign travel papers and board flights arranged by consular and U.S. officials.
The human cost is clear:
- Children wait for calls
- Spouses scramble to cover rent without a paycheck
- One Georgia raid now echoes across families and boardrooms in two allied nations, with flights departing daily for now
This Article in a Nutshell
On September 4, 2025, U.S. agencies detained 475 workers at the Hyundai–LG Energy Solutions battery plant in Georgia, with federal officials reporting over 300 South Korean nationals among them. Authorities say most had prior removal orders or immigration violations; a smaller group faces criminal charges. The raid involved more than 500 officers from multiple agencies and aimed to enforce hiring rules and deter irregular recruitment. ICE intends to use expedited, fast‑track dockets to process removals, prompting legal advocacy groups to warn of wrongful deportations for detainees with valid permits or pending cases. Families reported chaotic scenes and limited communication as workers were transferred to a GEO Group facility. South Korea protested and arranged consular support and a charter flight for repatriation. The action has raised diplomatic tensions, scrutiny of employer vetting, and concerns over due process under recent changes that expand detention and accelerate case timelines. Immediate priorities include legal screenings, documentation gathering, and access to counsel and consular services.
