A federal immigration raid conducted at a South Korean battery plant under construction in Georgia has raised economic concerns between the United States and South Korea. Over 300 Korean workers at the Hyundai-LG facility in Ellabell were detained, leading to uncertainty about the project’s future and similar developments in the region. The motives behind the raid may be linked to ongoing workplace safety issues that have contributed to three worker fatalities in the past two years.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) initiated the investigation following two fatal accidents at the site within a single year. Experts suggest that the presence of undocumented workers could have negatively impacted the safety culture, potentially discouraging them from reporting issues to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) due to fears of deportation.
The accidents included the death of Victor Javier Cajija Gamboa, who fell from height after his safety line was severed, and other incidents involving heavy machinery that resulted in fatalities. Reports indicated that the site experienced injury and death rates significantly exceeding industry averages, with emergency services responding to numerous calls over a 20-month span.
Hyundai and LG representatives emphasized their commitment to legal employment practices and asserted that safety remains a priority. While the spokesperson for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not confirm if safety issues influenced the investigation, they clarified that the complaints submitted by local representatives were not a factor in the agency’s decision-making processes.
The raid led to a total of 475 people being detained, including a significant number of individuals with documented status. Immigration attorneys expressed concern that fear of deportation may hinder the ability of workers to safely report health and safety issues.
The economic ties between Georgia and South Korea have been historically strong, with over $21 billion invested by South Korea in various manufacturing projects in the state. Local leaders maintain that the event will not impact this partnership, although South Korean officials suggested that incidents like this could deter future investments. Hyundai’s CEO stated that the detentions could cause delays in completing the battery plant, which could have substantial ramifications for the project timeline.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/12/immigration-georgia-hyundai-south-korea