Hundreds of South Korean workers sue ICE after Hyundai-LG raid

(SAVANNAH, GEORGIA) Nearly 200 South Korean workers detained during an ICE raid on September 4, 2025, at the Hyundai Motor–LG Energy Solution electric vehicle battery plant construction site outside Savannah say they will file a class-action lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alleging unlawful detention, racial profiling, excessive force, and unlawful arrest. Attorneys coordinating the action say the filing will seek compensation and court oversight after what workers describe as a sweeping enforcement operation that disrupted one of the region’s largest industrial projects and strained ties between the United States 🇺🇸 and South Korea.

What workers report about the raid

Workers and contractors at the site said ICE agents arrived in tactical gear with rifles, backed by helicopters and drones, and quickly shut down movement across multiple areas of the property.

• Agents allegedly presented arrest warrants in English, a language most of the detained South Korean workers do not speak.
• Groups were reportedly moved to holding areas where phones were confiscated.
• Many detainees reported being shackled at the wrists, ankles, and waist.
• Some were transported to detention facilities and held for about a week.
• Several workers said they received no clear explanation of the charges or their status during the first days in custody.

Attorneys and worker groups involved in the lawsuit preparations say the raid led to about 475 detentions, including roughly 300 to 317 South Korean nationals, which they say makes it the largest single-site immigration action in U.S. history by their tally.

The expected lawsuit will argue that the raid’s scope and tactics went beyond reasonable enforcement and violated constitutional protections, particularly in how officers allegedly targeted groups of workers based on nationality and language.

Visa context and worker roles

Many of the detained South Korean workers entered the U.S. on B-1 business visas as skilled technicians contracted to help set up production lines and train U.S. employees during construction.

• The B-1 category allows certain short-term business travel activities (e.g., consulting, installing or servicing equipment) but does not permit traditional employment.
• The State Department’s description of the category and its typical uses is available on the U.S. Department of State visitor (B-1) visa page: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/visitor.html.

Attorneys for the workers say their clients were not trying to immigrate or take local jobs but were in Georgia temporarily to support the complex start-up tasks that precede manufacturing.

Conditions and legal concerns raised by advocates

Workers’ groups said the scale and speed of the operation surprised crews who had expected routine checks after earlier documentation reviews.

• Supervisors reportedly tried to ask for interpreters but could not reach decision-makers as the operation moved quickly.
• The expected court filing will claim:
  • Some workers were denied timely access to counsel.
  • Medical and dietary needs were not met consistently during detention.

Several workers and advocates relayed firsthand accounts on condition of anonymity because of legal risk. ICE has not publicly addressed these specific claims.

Legal strategy of the planned class action

Legal teams preparing the class action said the filing will center on several key claims:

1. Lack of individualized probable cause — officers allegedly relied on broad assumptions about nationality and employment status.
2. Language and notice issues — presentation of English-only warrants to workers who could not meaningfully read them.
3. Excessive restraints and force — use of shackles and tactical measures on workers posing minimal flight risk.
4. Due process and access to counsel — allegations of delayed legal access and inadequate detainee treatment.

They may also request policy changes such as requiring on-site interpreters during large operations and limiting restraints on detainees who pose little flight risk.

Diplomatic and industry fallout

The operation has drawn international and industry attention:

• South Korean officials announced an inquiry into possible human rights violations during the raid and subsequent detention.
• Diplomats in Washington and Seoul have discussed ways to improve visa processing for short-term technical staff and raised the idea of a dedicated visa track for specialized technicians.
• Trade groups and industry analysts urged clearer guidance for multinational teams that move in and out of the country during factory buildouts.

Industry observers warn that any delays in restarting training rotations could ripple through the EV battery and components supply chain — a sector the federal government has sought to strengthen through incentives and partnerships.

Company, local, and federal responses

Hyundai Motor said the Savannah-area plant, slated for completion in the first half of 2026, remains on schedule and that the company complies with all laws and regulations. The company emphasized that contractors must follow visa and labor rules.

• Contractors and subcontractors have declined to discuss individual cases while legal claims are pending.
• Local officials, eager for thousands of permanent jobs promised when the facility opens, urged federal agencies and companies to resolve visa issues without halting work.

The White House response emphasized legal compliance.

• Spokesperson Abigail Jackson highlighted the importance of proper work authorization and said the administration supports enforcement when employers or workers do not follow federal rules.
• Officials framed this as balancing predictable rules for companies with enforcement when laws are believed to be broken.
• The administration has faced questions about whether enforcement priorities at high-profile sites align with broader labor and economic goals.

Local debate and naming confusion

The site has become a flashpoint for local debate:

• Supporters of the enforcement action argue that clear, lawful work authorization is non-negotiable.
• Critics say the operation’s tactics were out of proportion and risk chilling cooperation from foreign partners.

The plant has sometimes been referred to in local conversations as the “Hyundai Motor-GE plant,” though the actual joint venture partner is LG Energy Solution. Officials have noted the need for accurate public information as legal and diplomatic processes continue.

What’s next

What happens next could set a precedent for how future factory buildouts manage short-term foreign specialists.

• If the lawsuit proceeds, judges will be asked to weigh where legitimate work-site enforcement ends and unlawful detention begins.
• Contractors are reviewing rosters, lawyers are gathering sworn statements, and families are weighing whether to return to Georgia if workers are invited back under tighter protocols.

For now, the affected workers seek compensation and a clear judicial record that the September 4, 2025 operation exceeded lawful bounds. ICE, which has not commented in detail, faces growing calls to explain how it plans to conduct future on-site operations at large industrial projects without repeating the turmoil seen in Savannah.