Inside the raid: How a monthslong federal immigration operation led to 475 arrests at a Hyundai plant in Georgia

 

Summary:
In a significant immigration enforcement action, authorities arrested 475 people at a Hyundai manufacturing site in Ellabell, Georgia. Most detainees were Korean nationals, including individuals who entered the U.S. illegally, overstayed visas, or violated visa conditions.

The raid involved nearly 500 federal, state, and local officers and targeted workers at the still-under-construction battery facility. Some workers attempted to evade capture by hiding or fleeing to a nearby sewage pond.

 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed the operation resulted from an extensive investigation. Hyundai stated that arrested individuals were contractors or subcontractors, not direct employees, and emphasized its commitment to legal compliance. South Korea responded by promising support for its nationals, with officials considering direct intervention in Washington, D.C. Mexico's consulate also engaged with affected workers.

 

Key Takeaways:

• Significant Arrests: 475 individuals, primarily Korean nationals, were detained, marking a substantial immigration enforcement action.
• Operational Details: A coordinated effort involving federal, state, and local agencies culminated in the raid, highlighting a focus on illegal work practices.
• International Response: South Korea and Mexico are actively involved in supporting their citizens affected by the arrests.

 

 

Read the full article here

 

 

 

They catch hundrets of illigal workers and CNN still tries to victimise this people. Poor guys had to hid in a hot place. My heart is melting. Poor soules. It was like a war zone mimimi. Of course they have to line up people and check them. That does not make the action a "war zone". Iceing on the cake is the Korean Government pointing out the right of Korean Citizen. How does Korea treat illigal workers? 

 

This illigal workers take away jobs from US citizen and don't pay taxes! I only hope the employers get punished too. Put them in prison. Oh and don't forget to go after other big plants too. I am sure Hyundai is not the only one having tons of illigals working.

47 minutes ago, CHdiver said:

They catch hundrets of illigal workers and CNN still tries to victimise this people. Poor guys had to hid in a hot place. My heart is melting. Poor soules. It was like a war zone mimimi. Of course they have to line up people and check them. That does not make the action a "war zone". Iceing on the cake is the Korean Government pointing out the right of Korean Citizen. How does Korea treat illigal workers? 

 

This illigal workers take away jobs from US citizen and don't pay taxes! I only hope the employers get punished too. Put them in prison. Oh and don't forget to go after other big plants too. I am sure Hyundai is not the only one having tons of illigals working.

They need to send CNN here to discuss the plight of US expats who aren't allowed to live and work in Thailand illegally.
Btw - Hyundai could have applied for legal visas for all of their workers, but chose not to.  Instead they imported illegal Korean workers who took jobs from Americans.  

On 9/7/2025 at 2:58 PM, connda said:

They need to send CNN here to discuss the plight of US expats who aren't allowed to live and work in Thailand illegally.
Btw - Hyundai could have applied for legal visas for all of their workers, but chose not to.  Instead they imported illegal Korean workers who took jobs from Americans.  

 

I'm surprised CNN allowed this little snippet.  Their censors proofreaders must be slipping:

 

“When you enter under the Visa Waiver Program, then you’re not going to have an opportunity to see a judge to be removed, you’re just automatically issued an order by ICE” to leave the country, Gavilanes said. Typically, these individuals would be removed from the US at the government’s expense, but in this case, he said, the South Korean government is footing the bill.

 

Just to be clear, that's from another CNN article:  What we know about the agreement for detained South Korean workers to return home

So how many illegals?