Federal agents arrested 475 people during a sweeping immigration raid at Hyundai’s $7.6 billion Metaplant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, making it the largest single-site operation in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) history.
Most detainees were Korean nationals who were unlawfully present in the U.S., with some overstaying visas, officials said.
The 2,900-acre facility, which includes an EV battery plant built with LG, has been touted by Gov. Brian Kemp (R) as the state’s biggest economic development project, expected to create 8,500 jobs.
Construction was halted following the raid. Hyundai pledged full cooperation and compliance with labor and immigration laws.
ICE Detained 475 At Georgia Hyundai Plant In "Largest Single-Site Enforcement Operation In History"
— RCP Video (@rcpvideo) September 5, 2025
The majority detained were South Korean, working for a "network of subcontractors" at the facility producing electric cars and batteries. pic.twitter.com/ZFgcJwWOwL
The Georgia action coincided with a separate ICE raid in Cato, New York, where about 60 workers at a nutrition bar factory were detained.
Gov. Kathy Hochul (D) condemned the New York raid as “inhumane” and warned of its impact on families. Both raids reflect President Trump’s workplace-focused immigration crackdown.
BREAKING: ICE officials have detained roughly 475 workers from a Hyundai plant in Ellabell, Georgia, in what officials are calling the “largest single site operation” in Homeland Security Investigations history.
— NewsNation (@NewsNation) September 5, 2025
More: https://t.co/1cEEqvuvJw pic.twitter.com/ow46Ypko4H
