What's happened
On September 4, 2025, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the largest single-site enforcement operation in its history at a Hyundai-LG battery plant near Savannah, Georgia, detaining 475 workers, over 300 of whom are South Korean nationals. The raid, part of a months-long investigation into unlawful employment practices, has sparked diplomatic tensions between Seoul and Washington.
What's behind the headline?
Diplomatic Strain Amid Economic Ties
The ICE raid exposes a critical tension between US immigration enforcement and international economic partnerships. South Korea, a key US ally and investor, faces diplomatic pressure as hundreds of its nationals are detained, potentially jeopardizing ongoing trade and investment agreements, including a recent $350 billion pledge by Seoul to invest in the US.
Enforcement vs. Economic Interests
The operation, justified by ICE as targeting unlawful employment, highlights the challenge of balancing strict immigration policies with the need to maintain foreign investment and economic growth. Hyundai and LG's statements distancing themselves from the detained workers underscore the complexity of subcontractor labor practices.
Political Context and Future Implications
President Trump's firm stance on immigration enforcement, including his defense of the raid as "doing its job," signals continued aggressive policies that may deter foreign investment. South Korea's government response, including potential diplomatic visits to Washington, reflects the seriousness of the incident.
Forecast
This event will likely prompt tighter scrutiny of visa and employment practices at foreign-invested facilities in the US. It may also lead to diplomatic negotiations to prevent similar incidents, balancing immigration enforcement with economic diplomacy. For workers and companies, compliance and legal clarity will become paramount to avoid operational disruptions.
What the papers say
Alisha Rahaman Sarkar of The Independent reports that the South Korean government is actively working to repatriate its nationals and improve visa systems to prevent future incidents, quoting Kang Hun Sik, the presidential chief of staff: "We will not let our guard down until we have our people safely back home." The Independent also highlights Hyundai's commitment to investigating subcontractor compliance.
The Japan Times' Hyunjoo Jin emphasizes the scale of the operation and its potential to strain US-South Korea relations, noting Foreign Minister Cho Hyun's deep concern and the government's emergency response team. The report details LG Energy Solution's suspension of travel and cooperation with authorities.
Al Jazeera provides a broader political context, quoting opposition figures in South Korea criticizing President Lee Jae Myung's diplomacy as insufficient to protect citizens and businesses. It also includes ICE official Steven Schrank's justification of the raid, stating detainees were "illegally present" or working unlawfully.
The South China Morning Post and Bloomberg focus on the operational details and diplomatic responses, with Cho Hyun presiding over emergency meetings and considering travel to Washington. The NY Post and SBS add vivid descriptions of the raid's execution, including videos of detained workers and the use of helicopters and armored vehicles.
Together, these sources illustrate a multifaceted story involving immigration enforcement, international diplomacy, and economic interests, with direct quotes providing insight into government positions and corporate responses.
How we got here
The raid occurred amid President Donald Trump's intensified immigration crackdown, which has increased ICE's authority and funding to target undocumented workers. South Korea is a major investor in the US, with Hyundai and LG Energy Solution jointly operating the targeted electric vehicle battery plant, a significant foreign investment in Georgia.
Go deeper
- What led to the ICE raid at the Hyundai-LG plant in Georgia?
- How is the South Korean government responding to the detentions?
- What impact could this have on US-South Korea trade relations?
Common question
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Why Did the US Conduct Its Biggest Immigration Raid Ever?
The recent large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG factory in Georgia has raised many questions. Why did the US carry out such a massive operation? What are the implications for immigrant workers and US immigration policies? Here, we explore the details behind this historic enforcement action and what it means for international relations and immigration law.
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What Are the Latest Developments in Global Diplomacy and Conflict?
Recent events around the world highlight shifting alliances, rising tensions, and ongoing diplomatic crises. From Iran's diplomatic downgrade to Australia, Turkey's political crackdown, and US immigration enforcement, these stories reveal a complex picture of global stability. Curious about what these changes mean for international relations? Below are the key questions and answers to help you understand the current landscape.
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What’s Next for International Relations and Domestic Politics?
Recent global events are shaping the future of international relations and domestic politics in profound ways. From diplomatic tensions to political crackdowns and immigration issues, these stories raise important questions about stability, policy shifts, and broader global trends. Below, we explore key questions to understand what’s coming next and how these developments might impact the world around us.
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Why Did the US Arrest Over 300 Koreans at a Hyundai-LG Plant?
In September 2025, a major immigration crackdown in Georgia led to the arrest of over 300 South Korean workers at a Hyundai-LG battery plant. This unprecedented raid has raised questions about US immigration policies, diplomatic relations, and the impact on foreign workers. Below, we explore the key details and what they mean for both the US and South Korea.
More on these topics
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Donald John Trump is an American politician, media personality, and businessman who served as the 45th president of the United States from 2017 to 2021.
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South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korean Peninsula and sharing a land border with North Korea.
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Lee Jae-myung is a South Korean politician and attorney who has been serving as Governor of Gyeonggi Province since 2018. Prior to this, he served as Mayor of Seongnam, the tenth largest city in South Korea, from 2010 to 2018.
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Georgia is a state in the Southeastern Region of the United States. Georgia is the 24th-largest in area and 8th-most populous of the 50 United States.
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LG Energy Solution Ltd. (LGES; Korean: 주식회사 엘지에너지솔루션) is a battery company headquartered in Seoul, South Korea. LGES is one of the largest battery makers in the world alongside CATL, Panasonic, SK Innovation, and Samsung SDI.
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The Hyundai Motor Group (HMG; IPA: [ˈhjəːndɛ]; stylized as HYUNDAI) is a South Korean chaebol (loosely similar to a multinational conglomerate but without a central holding company or ownership structure) headquartered in Seoul, South Korea.
The HMG.
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Hyundai is a South Korean industrial conglomerate, which was restructured into the following groups:
Hyundai Group, parts of the former conglomerate which have not been divested
Hyundai Asan, a real estate construction and civil engineering company
Hyunda