ICE Arrests 475 Workers in Georgia Hyundai Factory Raid

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 475 people on Friday at a Hyundai factory in Georgia. 

The Details: The raid follows a multi-month investigation where agents reportedly encountered “hundreds” of unauthorized immigrants working at the facility. Wall Street Journal (Center bias) reported over 300 of those arrested were South Korean nationals, according to a South Korean official. They are currently being held at a facility in Folkston, Georgia. Homeland Security Special Agent Steve Schrank said the operation was the “largest single-site enforcement operation” in homeland security history. The FBI, ICE, US Drug Enforcement Agency, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were all involved in the raid. 

For Context: Hyundai Motor Group recently pledged $26 billion in US investments. It started producing electric vehicles at the Georgia facility in 2024, which employs roughly 1,200 workers. The Trump administration has continued to crackdown on unauthorized immigration. President Trump recently threatened to send National Guard troops and ICE agents to Chicago to support immigration operations. In August, ICE reported it had detained over 60,000 unauthorized immigrants.

How the Media Covered It: BBC (Center) wrote the raid could raise tension between President Trump’s top priorities to build up US manufacturing and cut down on illegal immigration. It also said it may “put stress” on the US’s relationship with South Korea. Just the News (Lean Right) quoted South Korea’s foreign ministry spokesperson, who said, “The economic activities of our companies investing in the U.S. and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unfairly violated. We conveyed our concern and regret through the U.S. Embassy in Seoul today.” The New York Times (Lean Left) mentioned some injuries sustained by those arrested, and also said the operation “caused diplomatic harm” in South Korea.

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