Immigration Raid at Hyundai-LG Plant Disrupts Operations

News Summary

A significant immigration raid by ICE at a Hyundai-LG battery plant has arrested over 300 Korean workers, sparking international tensions and economic concerns for future investments by South Korea in the U.S. The raid involved extensive law enforcement presence and led to operational disruptions at the facility. Local businesses have been affected as stress levels rise among employees. South Korean officials express deep concern, as the incident poses risks to upcoming economic initiatives between the two nations.

Savannah, Georgia – An immigration raid conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on September 4, 2025, has led to the arrest of over 300 Korean workers at a Hyundai-LG battery plant, igniting international tensions and raising economic concerns for future South Korean investments in the United States.

The operation was a significant endeavor that involved around 400 state and federal law enforcement personnel. The raid disrupted activities at the plant, with numerous workers opting to stay home, resulting in mounting construction delays. Following the incident, many local businesses and employers have been affected by the growing uncertainty. Ken Shim, president of Woowon Technology Inc., reported that he had to provide paid time off to alleviate the stress affecting South Korean engineers at a nearby cell plant.

The search warrant issued by U.S. Magistrate Judge Christopher Ray specified the names of four Mexican nationals but did not make any mention of plans to arrest South Korean workers. However, ICE agents proceeded with arrests, believing those apprehended were unlawfully working in the U.S. It was notable that the ICE agents did not bring along Korean language interpreters, which implies that South Korean workers were not their intended targets. The detained workers were present at the facility on B-1 visas or through the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which are used for installation services.

Overall, ICE reported that 475 individuals were detained during the raid, with many found to be in violation of immigration laws. An immigration attorney representing some of those arrested indicated that ICE’s actions were influenced by a may have been influenced by the mandate established by former presidential advisor Stephen Miller, which sought to meet a quota of 3,000 arrests per day, aiming for a million deportations annually.

The raid has led to a cautious outlook for foreign investments from South Korea in the U.S. manufacturing sector. LG Energy Solution announced that the construction of the plant would be paused until at least mid-2026, citing the repercussions of the raid as detrimental to operations. In response to the situation, South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called on the U.S. to normalize the visa processes related to investment.

Former President Donald Trump speculated that some of the South Korean workers may be allowed to stay in the U.S. to train American workers, but only one worker decided to pursue that option. The incident has raised alarms in South Korea, with media outlets comparing the treatment of the workers to that of “prisoners of war.” Korean American businesses are increasingly concerned about the lingering uncertainty due to the raid.

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun also expressed deep concern regarding the arrests and emphasized a sense of responsibility for the situation. Compounding this incident is the context of a new $350 billion joint economic initiative between the U.S. and South Korea, aimed at reducing trade barriers, which may now be jeopardized.

In recent years, major Korean corporations have heavily invested in the U.S., especially within the semiconductor and battery sectors. However, economic analysts predict that the ICE raid could deter future investments from Korean firms in the U.S. market, particularly as recent economic indicators show a deceleration in U.S. job growth and an increase in the unemployment rate, suggesting potential adverse effects linked to the immigration increase.

As the fallout from the raid continues to unfold, both the U.S. and South Korea navigate the consequential implications for their economic relationship, labor markets, and immigration policies.

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