A major U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai and LG joint-venture battery plant in Georgia has led to the arrest of 475 workers, according to reports from The New York Times and CNN. Officials say the operation marks the largest worksite enforcement action carried out by Homeland Security Investigations at a single location in recent years.

The raid took place at the HL-GA Battery Company construction site in Ellabell, about 25 miles west of Savannah. According to federal officials, most of those arrested were South Korean nationals who were either in the country unlawfully, had overstayed visas, or were working in violation of visa waiver rules.

Construction at the $7.6 billion Hyundai “Metaplant” has been halted as a result. The project, touted by Georgia Governor Brian Kemp as the state’s largest-ever economic development investment, includes both an electric vehicle manufacturing facility and the LG-Hyundai battery venture.

Hyundai said it did not believe any of those detained were direct employees of Hyundai Motor Company. LG Energy Solution, according to CNN, stated it was working with South Korean authorities and U.S. officials to gather details and secure the release of affected staff. Both companies said they were cooperating with investigators.

The New York Times reported that South Korea’s Foreign Ministry confirmed its nationals were among those in custody and urged the U.S. to protect their rights during the legal process. Embassy and consular staff were dispatched from Washington and Atlanta to assist.

Video obtained by CNN showed armed agents ordering construction workers to line up, with some attempting to flee into a sewage pond before being detained. Officials said some of those arrested may have been employed by subcontractors rather than Hyundai or LG directly.

The raid followed a months-long investigation, with Homeland Security stating that the aim was to ensure “a level playing field” for companies complying with federal labour and immigration laws. No criminal charges have yet been announced.

The enforcement action comes just days after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung met U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, pledging $150 billion in new U.S. investment, including in electric vehicle and battery plants. The New York Times noted that the timing of the arrests has raised diplomatic concern in Seoul.

Large-scale workplace raids have occurred in the U.S. before, including actions in Mississippi in 2019 and Iowa in 2008. While the Biden administration discontinued the practice in 2021, raids have returned under the Trump administration.

Community leaders in Georgia have criticised the operation. State Representative Sam Park said the raids were “a politically motivated attack” that disrupted families and undermined the workforce supporting clean energy investment.

The Hyundai-LG battery facility was expected to begin operations in 2026, creating thousands of jobs. For now, construction remains suspended as the investigation continues.