Largest Immigration Raid in Georgia in Years
Federal agents broke into the Hyundai Metaplant in Ellabell, Georgia. ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, and Homeland Security all worked together on the operation. During the raid, almost 500 people were taken into custody.
This raid is one of the biggest immigration sweeps in a long time. Most of the people who were arrested were thought to have broken the law by entering the country without a visa. Authorities stressed the importance of enforcing laws to keep the community safe.
Korean Nationals Dominate Arrest Numbers
Officials said that most of the people who were arrested were Korean. Some came in illegally, while others stayed longer than their visas allowed or broke the rules of their waivers. During the raid, a number of people tried to get away.
One group ran into a sewage pond to get away, but they were caught. Some were found hiding on the property. They all were taken somewhere else for processing and identification.
Hyundai Denies Direct Employment Links
Hyundai said that none of the people who were arrested were direct employees. Instead, a lot of them worked for contractors or subcontractors who were building things. The business promised to fully cooperate with the federal government.
Executives said that the standards for compliance will be carefully looked at. They promised to keep a closer eye on how suppliers hire people. Hyundai made it clear that they would not tolerate any violations of employment laws.
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Raid Stopped Plant Construction
The site is 2,900 acres and has Hyundai’s electric vehicle plant and an LG joint-venture battery plant. The enforcement action stopped work on the building. Work stopped for a short time while the investigations went on.
Hyundai and LG both said they are keeping a close eye on things. LG has not said for sure if its contractors hired detainees. Both companies stressed how important it is for workers to be safe and follow the rules.
Investigation Took Months of Preparation
Authorities said the raid happened after months of looking into it. Officials got court orders, talked to witnesses, and collected proof. Employment and immigration status records were very important to the case.
Agents carried out the raid with military-like accuracy. Workers were lined up, processed, and questioned right there. People who were cleared were given official papers and allowed to leave.
Worker Accounts Reveal Tense Atmosphere
People who saw it said it looked like a “war zone.” They were told to stand against walls and stay there for hours. Some people said they hid in air ducts to avoid being found.
Agents looked at people’s IDs, Social Security numbers, and legal status. Workers who were found to be in compliance were given clearance passes. Others were taken to buses that were waiting to take them to jail.
Political and Diplomatic Reactions Follow Raid
Brian Kemp, the governor of Georgia, said again that he supports enforcing immigration laws. He stressed how important it is for the state to work with the federal government. Officials said that the raid shows that people who break the law will be held accountable.
South Korea was worried about its citizens who were arrested. Seoul asked the U.S. government to respect the rights of its citizens. There are now diplomatic channels open for more talks.
Factory Raid in New York Sparks Controversy and Outrage
At the same time as the Georgia raid, there was also an enforcement action in New York. Dozens of workers were held at a nutrition bar factory. Witnesses said that the people involved used violent methods and acted emotionally.
Kathy Hochul, the governor of New York, spoke out against the raids. She said they hurt families and communities instead of making them safer. The federal government still thinks these kinds of operations are necessary.
