Feds raid Hyundai EV plant in Georgia, arrest 450 illegal immigrants

Law enforcement agencies raided a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Georgia, and arrested about 450 illegal immigrants.

The agencies, which included the FBI, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, made the arrests on Thursday.

"Today, @ATFAtlanta joined HSI, FBI, DEA, ICE, GSP and other agencies in a major immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai mega site battery plant in Bryan County, GA, leading to the apprehension of ~450 unlawful aliens, emphasizing our commitment to community safety," ATF Atlanta posted on X on Thursday.

The plant began manufacturing EVs last year, and employs around 1,200 workers, The Hill reported.

“The economic activities of our companies investing in the U.S. and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated,” South Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong said, according to Yonhap news agency.

“We conveyed our concern and regret through the U.S. Embassy in Seoul today,” Lee added.

More than 30 South Koreans were detained during the raid.

South Korea sent embassy and consular officers from Washington, D.C., and Atlanta to the plant, according to the foreign ministry. 

Steven Schrank, the special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia, said that alleged unlawful practices were taking place at the plant located in Ellabell, Ga.

“We have executed it exceptionally, safely thus far and we look to wrap it up in the near future,” Schrank said Thursday. 

Hyundai spokesperson Michael Stewart said in a statement to NBC News that the company is “cooperating with law enforcement and are committed to abiding by all labor and immigration regulations.”