The Latino and South Korean immigrant communities were most affected by the surprise raid on Thursday at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, where about 450 workers were detained—the largest operation of its kind during the current crackdown by the Donald Trump administration on illegal immigration.
The immigration enforcement operation at the battery plant of the “Hyundai megasite” in Bryan County (Georgia) ended with the detention of about 450 undocumented immigrants, according to the Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
Videos on social media show workers looking shocked and others running, with some apparently hiding in ducts or nearby wooded areas after the raid at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America facilities near Savannah, where electric vehicles are manufactured.
The operation temporarily halted construction on the adjacent battery plant, part of a partnership between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution.
Authorities involved in the raid, led by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and its Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division, stated that among those detained were undocumented workers and about thirty South Korean employees in the U.S. for work purposes, though it was not specified whether they were in violation of immigration laws.
The infrastructure for electric vehicle production remained operational, though construction on the new battery plant was paused.
Overall, the complex represents a $7.6 billion investment and employs over 1,000 people. Despite the operation, Hyundai assured that its production was not affected.
The raid also involved the FBI, the DEA, and the Georgia State Patrol.
Image: DiarioNY
