Massive “Operation Low Voltage” Immigration Raid at Hyundai-LG Battery Plant in Georgia Sparks Diplomatic Fallout

“Operation Low Voltage” — Largest Single-Site Immigration Raid in DHS History Uncovers 475 Arrests, Highlights Enforcement Crackdown on Foreign Labor at U.S. Megasites

This picture is the property of the author, and it was made with an AI program

Introduction

Recently, on the construction site of the Hyundai–LG battery plant (part of Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America) in Ellabell, Bryan County, Georgia, one of the most massive immigration raids of Trump's second presidential term took place, marking the largest raid at a single location in Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) history.

On September 4, 2025, nearly 500 federal, state, and local law enforcement officers stormed the site and arrested 475 construction workers. Most detainees were South Korean citizens, from a nation long known for its close partnership with the U.S.

The operation was led by ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and HSI, supported by the FBI, DEA, ATF, and Georgia State Patrol, as part of a months-long criminal investigation into alleged illegal hiring practices and other serious federal violations.

AP News

How the Raid Unfolded

Dubbed Operation Low Voltage, the operation was planned and executed swiftly and with military precision. Eyewitnesses described agents lining up workers along walls and inspecting documents, including dates of birth and Social Security numbers, to determine who would be arrested and who might be released. Those identified for detention were transported by bus to the ICE processing center in Folkston, Georgia, over 160 km away.

The situation turned dramatic, and some workers attempted to flee, hiding in ventilation ducts or jumping into a sewage pond on-site, only to be pulled out and arrested. One even tried to flip an agency boat by diving under it, but failed. By day’s end, 475 people were detained and transported by bus to the ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, near the Florida border. Reuters

Who Was Targeted

As HSI Special Agent Steven Schrank explained, detainees were individuals who had either entered the U.S. illegally, overstayed their visas, held visas that did not permit work (e.g., tourist visas, visa waiver entries), or otherwise violated visa terms.

Roughly 300 or more of the detained individuals were South Korean, triggering a diplomatic incident between the U.S. and its longstanding ally. Reuters

This picture is the property of the author, and it was made with an AI program

Response from South Korea and the Companies

The South Korean government voiced “concern and regret,” reiterating that the rights and business interests of its citizens and companies should not be unjustly harmed during U.S. law enforcement actions.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun traveled to Washington for urgent negotiations, and a charter flight was arranged to fly more than 300 detained Korean workers home once administrative procedures were complete. The Washington Post

Hyundai emphasized that none of those arrested were direct employees, but rather hired through subcontractors. The company pledged full cooperation and announced an internal probe into compliance across its entire supply chain. LG Energy Solution likewise affirmed its cooperation with authorities and said it was gathering relevant information. Reuters

Impact on the Joint Venture and U.S.–Korea Ties

This Hyundai–LG joint venture, a $7.6 billion investment including a battery facility modeled to serve 300,000 EVs annually, was hailed as Georgia’s largest economic development project.

The raid halted construction, introduced delays, and raised cost concerns.

The U.S.’s credibility as a stable investment destination was called into question; some investors now wonder if "America First" policies and vigorous immigration enforcement might undermine future cooperation.

Moreover, it has shaken investor confidence and strained diplomatic relations, especially as South Korea had just agreed to invest $350 billion in U.S. energy and manufacturing projects. The Economic Times

Trump’s Reaction

President Donald Trump used the event to underscore his stance: foreign investment and expertise are welcome, legally. In a post on Truth Social, he urged companies to respect U.S. immigration laws and emphasized the importance of hiring and training American workers. Al Jazeera

Conclusion

While the United States and South Korea maintain a long-standing partnership, President Trump’s immigration stance appears uncompromising, even toward allies. This operation makes it clear that new policies will be enforced regardless of consequence. As a result, fewer nations may continue expressing respect or friendliness toward the U.S. If this trajectory continues, America risks isolation, like an island in the Pacific.

---