On September 5, U.S. authorities carried out a massive crackdown on undocumented workers at the joint Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution battery plant construction site in Savannah, Georgia. Reports indicate that over 300 Korean nationals were among those detained.
As the facility nears its October completion date, workers are in the final stages of equipment installation and finishing touches. Approximately 170 of those detained were identified as interior construction workers, while the remainder were employees of production equipment subcontractors.
This enforcement action has raised concerns about potential delays in the factory’s operational timeline.
The South Korean government has expressed its concerns and regrets to U.S. officials, emphasizing that the economic activities of Korean investors and the rights of Korean citizens should not be unjustly compromised during U.S. law enforcement operations.
According to foreign media and government sources, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested between 450 and 560 workers at the site on suspicion of illegal residency, with over 300 of them being Korean nationals.
Reports suggest that subcontractor employees were engaged in various final-stage tasks, including equipment installation and interior work. Industry sources revealed that numerous employees from Hyundai Engineering and its subcontractors were among those arrested, with approximately 170 subcontractor workers detained. However, not all of those arrested were Korean nationals.
The remaining 130 detainees were reportedly employees of LG Energy Solution’s subcontractors, who are responsible for supplying equipment crucial for the factory’s operations.
The targeted facility, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, began construction in late 2023 with a total investment of 4.3 billion USD, split equally between the two companies. The plant is designed to produce around 30 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of battery cells annually, sufficient for approximately 300,000 electric vehicles (EVs), with completion originally scheduled for October.
This enforcement action is expected to delay the factory’s operational start date. While construction can continue with the remaining workforce, inevitable delays will likely impact the timeline, potentially resulting in financial losses for the companies involved.
In response, the South Korean government is mobilizing a comprehensive effort. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lee Jae-yong announced that the Consul General from the South Korean Embassy in the U.S. and the Consul from the Atlanta Consulate General have been dispatched to the site, and a local task force has been established to actively address the situation. Lee added that Seoul has conveyed its concerns and regrets through the U.S. Embassy, urging the careful protection of Korean citizens’ legitimate rights.
Most of those arrested reportedly held Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) or B1 business visas. However, the specific visa types of the 300 detained Korean nationals have not yet been confirmed.
U.S. authorities, including ICE, reportedly did not provide prior notice to South Korea regarding the arrests and detentions. A Foreign Ministry official stated that they became aware of the situation through the consulate and are continuously gathering necessary information.
A U.S. official familiar with the matter explained that those arrested may be released immediately after interviews if found not to have committed any offenses, with outcomes depending on visa types and the nature of their work.
This incident echoes a similar case from 2020, in which 13 Korean workers were arrested for illegal residency at the SK Battery America (SKBA) construction site in Georgia. They were released within 15 hours after agreeing to voluntary departure, having worked on-site without the required H-2B short-term work visas.