Breaking: Federal Operation Shakes Georgia’s Industrial Heart

The sprawling Hyundai manufacturing complex in Georgia became the epicenter of the most significant workplace immigration enforcement action in U.S. history. Federal agents detained 475 people in what Homeland Security Investigations officials called “the largest single-site operation” ever conducted by their agency. The September 5, 2025, raid targeted the construction site of a massive battery plant that was supposed to represent Georgia’s economic future.

The Scope of Operation

Steven Schrank, Special Agent in Charge of Homeland Security Investigations, confirmed during a Friday news briefing that the majority of those detained were Korean nationals working as part of a complex network of subcontractors and sub-subcontractors. WCTV reported that this operation surpassed all previous single-site enforcement actions in HSI’s history.

“This operation underscores our commitment to jobs for Georgians and Americans,” Schrank stated at the press conference, emphasizing that no charges had been filed at the time of the announcement.

The raid involved multiple federal agencies working in coordination. ATF Atlanta confirmed that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), FBI, Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and Georgia State Patrol joined HSI in executing the operation.

Target: Georgia’s Crown Jewel Project

The Hyundai Metaplant represents one of Georgia’s most ambitious economic development projects. The Guardian reported that the facility was hailed as “the biggest industrial investment in the state’s history” and had been promoted by Republican Governor Brian Kemp as a massive boost to Georgia’s economy.

The $7.6 billion complex houses two major components: Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing plant, which began production last year and employs about 1,200 people, and the adjacent battery plant construction site where the raid occurred. The battery facility, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, was scheduled to begin operations by the end of 2025.

Construction work at the battery plant has been suspended following the operation, though Hyundai’s EV production continued uninterrupted.

International Diplomatic Tensions

South Korea’s response was swift and concerned. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-woong described the number of detained South Korean nationals as “large,” though he provided no exact figures. OPB News noted that South Korea dispatched diplomats from both its Washington embassy and Atlanta consulate to the site, with plans to establish an on-site response team.

“The business activities of our investors and the rights of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the process of U.S. law enforcement,” Lee stated in a televised announcement, reflecting Seoul’s diplomatic concerns about the operation’s impact on Korean business interests in America.

Legal Framework and Investigation Details

The Department of Homeland Security emphasized that agents executed a judicially authorized search warrant as part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Local 3 News reported that the investigation focuses on “allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes.”

Schrank clarified that this wasn’t a typical immigration sweep but rather the culmination of a multi-month criminal investigation involving evidence collection, interviews, and document analysis before presenting the case to court for warrant approval.

The detained workers entered the U.S. through various means, according to officials. Some crossed the border illegally, others overstayed visas, and some entered through the visa waiver program but lacked proper work authorization.

Economic and Social Impact

The operation has broader implications for America’s labor market and immigration policy. The Ottumwa Courier referenced Pew Research Center data showing that the U.S. labor force lost more than 1.2 million immigrants from January through July, including both undocumented workers and legal residents.

The AFL-CIO condemned the raid through Georgia AFL-CIO President Yvonne Brooks, who criticized what she called “an ongoing campaign of harassment that has targeted immigrant Georgians as they try to earn an honest living.”

The timing particularly stings given that multiple worker deaths occurred during construction of the plant, leading Brooks to argue that “the only federal action that could possibly be justified is to strengthen enforcement of occupational safety and health protections.”

Operational Execution and Safety

Despite the massive scale, the operation proceeded with minimal incidents. Officials reported only one person overcome by heat and one agent suffering a minor laceration. The absence of substantial force or injuries demonstrates the professionalism maintained throughout the complex operation.

Video footage showed masked federal agents instructing construction workers in safety vests to cease all work immediately as they executed the search warrant across the 3,000-acre facility.

Pattern of Enforcement

This Georgia operation represents part of President Trump’s broader immigration enforcement strategy. WKOW News highlighted that federal immigration officers have conducted similar raids at farms, construction sites, restaurants, and auto repair shops as part of the administration’s mass deportation agenda.

On the same day as the Georgia operation, federal agents conducted another significant raid in upstate New York at Nutrition Bar Confectioners, detaining dozens of workers and drawing criticism from Governor Kathy Hochul.

Looking Forward

The investigation remains active, with officials indicating that additional evidence gathered during the raid will support ongoing criminal proceedings. The case raises important questions about workplace enforcement, international business relationships, and the balance between immigration control and economic development.

For Georgia, the raid casts uncertainty over one of its most significant economic development achievements. The Hyundai project was expected to create 8,500 jobs and demonstrate the state’s appeal to international manufacturers.

Call to Action: This historic enforcement operation highlights the complex intersection of immigration policy, economic development, and international relations. As investigations continue, Americans must engage in thoughtful dialogue about balanced approaches to immigration enforcement that protect both national security and economic prosperity. Contact your representatives to share your views on comprehensive immigration reform that addresses these challenging realities.