The raid detained Korean nationals who were visiting the Hyundai plant on business travel.

Federal immigration authorities conducted a large-scale enforcement operation at an electric vehicle and battery manufacturing complex under construction in Ellabell, Georgia. The raid resulted in the detention of more than 300 South Korean nationals who had traveled to the facility on short-term business visits and temporary visa waivers to install equipment and provide specialized technical expertise.

Representatives and legal counsel for the workers maintained that the individuals possessed valid travel credentials and specialized skills needed for the project, while immigration officials contended that many had exceeded permitted terms or performed unauthorized hands-on installation labor. Following intense diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Seoul, the detained individuals were repatriated via voluntary departures rather than formal deportations.pbs.orgpbs.orgSouth Koreans Face Shock and Confusion After Worker Detentions at Georgia...Diplomatic Tensions: The raid caused considerable shock, confusion, and diplomatic strain between the U.S. and South Korea, a key ally Return to South Korea: Following emergency high-level talks between Seoul and Washington, the U.S....pbs.orgpbs.orgAttorney Says Detained Korean Hyundai Workers Had Special Skills for Short Term...Nature of the Workers: Attorneys representing the workers and South Korean officials stated that many of those detained were specialized engineers, technicians, and equipment installers sent from South Korea on short-term business travel...+1 more

Subsequent developments included legal claims filed against federal agencies by the affected workers alongside the return of many individuals under proper administrative channels later that year.cbsnews.comcbsnews.comSouth Korean workers detained in Georgia Hyundai plant raid file claims against...The Event: On September 4, 2025, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) executed a court-authorized search warrant at the Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant construction site in...cnn.comcnn.comHyundai Georgia Raid Korean Workers Back HnkMany subsequently returned to the U.S. later that year under proper administrative channels to resume their roles at the facility