Hyundai and LG has reportedly begun laying off U.S. workers as factory projects come to a standstill. A total of 22 sites have been officially suspended, with future investments on hold pending a diplomatic breakthrough. The exact number of layoffs is yet to be confirmed.

Hyundai and LG have paused or suspended multiple U.S. Factory projects and delayed investments following a major immigration raid that detained hundreds of workers, but the exact number of layoffs has not been confirmed.

Hyundai is now delaying its EV battery plant that was raided by ICE

Source: electrek.co

At a glance

Key Evidence

Verified September 17, 2025

CBC News and The Korea Herald report hundreds of workers detained in a raid causing work pauses at Hyundai's U.S. Battery plant.
Reddit and Electrek note that all 22 new factory construction or expansion projects have been suspended with business trips halted.
NBC News and PBS News confirm detained workers are being released and flown home, but no confirmed layoffs are reported.
The New York Times highlights diplomatic tensions affecting future investments.
No source confirms exact layoff numbers; the focus is on project suspensions and workforce disruptions.

The reporting

What the Evidence Shows

Multiple reliable sources confirm that Hyundai and LG Energy Solution have experienced significant disruptions at their U.S. Factory projects, particularly in Georgia, due to a large-scale immigration enforcement raid that detained over 300 South Korean workers. This event has led to a pause or suspension of construction and expansion activities at numerous sites, specifically, reports mention 22 factory projects being stopped or suspended.

Additionally, future investments and business trips to the U.S. Have been put on hold pending diplomatic developments between South Korea and the U.S. However, none of the sources provide a confirmed or specific number of layoffs resulting from these disruptions.

Instead, the focus is on halted projects, suspended business travel, and workers being sent back to South Korea. The situation is still evolving, with South Korea investigating the raid for potential human rights violations and companies adjusting their operations accordingly.

Primary trail