Savannah, Georgia, September 5, 2025
News Summary
U.S. immigration authorities raided Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing plant in Savannah, Georgia, investigating unlawful employment practices. This $7.6 billion facility, employing 1,200 workers, was disrupted as agents gathered evidence and questioned employees. The operation also halted construction on a nearby battery plant. Hyundai committed to cooperating with investigators as scrutiny on labor practices intensifies. The raid reflects ongoing federal efforts to address employment violations in the rapidly growing electric vehicle sector.
Savannah, Georgia – U.S. immigration authorities conducted a major raid on Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site on Thursday, focusing on one of Georgia’s largest manufacturing establishments, a $7.6 billion plant in Bryan County. The operation is part of an ongoing investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes.
Approximately one year ago, Hyundai began manufacturing electric vehicles (EVs) at this site, which currently employs about 1,200 workers. The raid necessitated the shutdown of construction on an adjacent factory aimed at producing EV batteries, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution. This additional factory, known as HL-GA Battery, is slated to open next year.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) confirmed the operation, indicating that agents primarily concentrated on the battery plant’s construction site. To facilitate the investigation, the Georgia State Patrol blocked access roads, and evidence gathered showed ICE agents instructing workers, donning yellow safety vests, that they held a search warrant for the entire manufacturing site.
As the operation unfolded, workers were reportedly asked their citizenship status, with video recordings capturing ICE agents lining up workers and examining their personal belongings. Eyewitness accounts indicated that large buses and undercover law enforcement vehicles were present at the scene during the raid.
Although Hyundai’s spokesperson stated that operations at the main EV manufacturing facility were not disrupted and normal office hours continued, the construction at the adjoining battery plant has been halted. The HL-GA Battery joint venture announced its commitment to fully cooperate with the investigation.
The raid is part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy that gained momentum during the Trump administration, reflecting a continued aggressive approach to immigration enforcement across various sectors. No specific data was disclosed regarding the number of individuals detained or arrested during the operation, but the ICE representative emphasized that the focus remains on accountability for labor law violations.
This operation follows recent rulings from two separate courts, declaring President Trump’s import taxes as illegal, and comes at a time when the Pew Research Center reported a loss of over 1.2 million immigrants in the U.S. labor force during the first half of the year.
The site spans approximately 3,000 acres, located west of Savannah, and features a manufacturing plant with a significant role in the state’s economy as the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history. The ongoing investigation by ICE underscores the implications of employment practices within the rapidly expanding electric vehicle sector, as organizations face increased scrutiny regarding their labor practices.
As the investigation progresses, Hyundai and its partners are expected to respond to inquiries about compliance with labor regulations and address any potential issues identified in the course of this high-profile operation.
FAQs
What was the reason for the raid at Hyundai’s manufacturing site?
The raid was part of an ongoing investigation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) into alleged unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes.
How many workers are employed at the Hyundai plant in Georgia?
The plant employs approximately 1,200 workers.
How has the raid affected operations at the Hyundai site?
Operations at the main electric vehicle manufacturing plant were not interrupted, but construction on the adjacent battery plant was halted.
What is the HL-GA Battery plant?
The HL-GA Battery plant is a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, intended to produce electric vehicle batteries.
What land area does the Hyundai manufacturing site cover?
The site covers approximately 3,000 acres located west of Savannah in Bryan County.
Was anyone arrested during the raid?
No specific details were reported regarding the number of individuals detained or arrested during the operation.
Key Features of the Hyundai Raid
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Location | Bryan County, Georgia |
| Investment | $7.6 billion |
| Worker Count | 1,200 employees |
| Site Area | 3,000 acres |
| Raid Date | Thursday |
| Focus of Investigation | Unlawful employment practices |
| Construction Impact | Halting of HL-GA Battery plant construction |
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