U.S. immigration authorities recently conducted a raid at a Hyundai manufacturing facility in Georgia, resulting in the arrest of over 450 individuals. This 3,000-acre site, established by the Korean automaker for electric vehicle production, has been operational for about a year.
The Department of Homeland Security, in a statement to CBS News, confirmed that agents executed a search warrant based on allegations of unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes. Among those detained were reported to be Korean nationals, a situation that prompted a statement from the South Korean foreign ministry, which characterized the action as an unjust infringement of rights.
The Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives acknowledged its role in the operation, citing collaboration with agencies such as ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement). However, the exact number of South Koreans among the detainees remains unclear.
The South Korean foreign ministry has expressed concerns about the impact of U.S. law enforcement operations on the economic activities of Korean investment companies and the rights of Korean citizens. To address these concerns, the ministry plans to send diplomats to the site and has conveyed its apprehensions through the U.S. Embassy in Korea.
This incident also comes at a time when South Korean companies are leveraging investments in the U.S. to avoid tariffs, with promises to invest billions in key industries. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp recently highlighted Hyundai’s electric vehicle operation as a significant economic development project for the state, creating approximately 1,200 jobs. Additionally, federal searches have impacted ongoing construction at an adjacent battery plant associated with the facility.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj6xe5d6103o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss