Savannah: U.S. authorities confirmed Friday that their raid on a South Korean electric vehicle (EV) battery plant construction site in Georgia this week resulted in the arrest of 475 people, a majority of them South Koreans, as they conduct a major immigration crackdown. Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security investigations for Georgia, made the remarks during a press conference, a day after the raid at the site operated by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution Ltd. in Bryan County, west of Savannah.According to Yonhap News Agency, Schrank said that Homeland Security Investigations, an agency under the Department of Homeland Security, in cooperation with other law enforcement agencies, executed a search warrant as part of a criminal probe into allegations of "unlawful employment practices and serious federal crimes." The investigation has led to the arrest of 475 individuals and is focused on ensuring accountability for those who violate the law, and upholding the rule of law. A d iplomatic source in Seoul noted that of the total, more than 300 workers are South Korean nationals.Schrank further elaborated that the 475 individuals were illegally present in the United States. This group includes individuals who illegally crossed the border, those who entered through a visa waiver program that restricts employment, and others who overstayed their visas.The arrested individuals include subcontractors working for various companies, and those found to be illegally in the U.S. are now in the custody of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations. Most of those apprehended have been taken to the Folkston Immigration Detention Center in Folkston, Georgia, and will be relocated based on individual circumstances.Authorities reported no significant injuries during the raid, aside from an individual experiencing overheating and one agent with a minor laceration. The raid has been described as "the largest single site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations."In re sponse, South Korea's foreign ministry has expressed "concern and regret" over the raid, emphasizing that the rights of the individuals involved should not be unfairly infringed upon.
- September 21, 2026
