News Summary
U.S. immigration authorities conducted a significant raid at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site in Bryan County, Georgia, as part of an investigation into illegal employment practices. The operation shuttered construction on an adjacent EV battery plant. ICE confirmed their focus was on ensuring accountability in labor law compliance. Witnesses reported ICE agents questioning workers about their citizenship status, while the HL-GA Battery joint venture announced it would cease construction and cooperate with authorities. This raid could have long-term implications for the local workforce and manufacturing landscape.
Bryan County, Georgia – U.S. immigration authorities conducted a significant raid at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site in southeast Georgia on Thursday. This operation was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices and serious federal offenses, involving one of the largest manufacturing sites in the state.
The Hyundai plant, a $7.6 billion investment located west of Savannah in Bryan County, began production of electric vehicles (EVs) approximately one year ago and employs around 1,200 workers. The operation led to the immediate shutdown of construction on an adjacent factory which is part of a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, dedicated to producing EV batteries.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the raid, stating that the focus was primarily on the construction site for the battery factory. ICE officials provided limited details about the operation but indicated that their presence was aimed at ensuring accountability in labor law compliance. The Georgia State Patrol assisted by blocking access roads to facilitate the operation carried out by ICE.
Video footage from the site depicted ICE agents informing workers, identifiable by their yellow safety vests, that they had a search warrant for the entire manufacturing area and demanded a halt to all construction activities. Witnesses reported that agents questioned workers about their citizenship status, lined them up for searches, and examined their belongings during the raid. Large buses and unmarked law enforcement vehicles were also observed at the site.
The joint venture responsible for the battery plant, known as HL-GA Battery, has confirmed that it has ceased construction and is fully cooperating with the authorities. Despite the disruption at the battery plant, operations at Hyundai’s primary EV manufacturing facility reportedly remained unaffected, with regular office hours continuing as usual prior to the raid.
ICE has not disclosed the number of individuals detained or arrested during this operation, which aligns with a broader immigration enforcement strategy that was emphasized during the Trump administration. This action is regarded as one of the largest immigration operations conducted during his second term and reflects ongoing efforts to ensure compliance with immigration laws across various sectors in the U.S.
The KH-GA Battery plant, which is anticipated to begin operations next year, is involved in a crucial segment of the electric vehicle supply chain. This raid and the related investigation may have long-term implications for the local workforce and the manufacturing landscape in Georgia. Notably, recent court rulings have deemed certain import tariffs imposed during the Trump administration as illegal, while data from the Pew Research Center indicates a significant decrease of over 1.2 million immigrants in the U.S. labor force within the first half of the year.
As investigations proceed, industry stakeholders and local authorities will be closely monitoring the impact of these developments on future operations and employment at one of the largest electric vehicle manufacturing sites in the U.S.
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MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER The MILWAUKEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREMilwaukee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Summerfest, Milwaukee Film Festival, and the Milwaukee Boat Show. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce and Visit Milwaukee, plus leading businesses in manufacturing and brewing that power the local economy such as Harley-Davidson and MillerCoors. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Wisconsin's dynamic landscape.
