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- ICE executed a large criminal search warrant at the HL-GA battery plant, part of the Hyundai Megasite.
- Roughly 450 detainees were reported; some lawful employees were identified and released, officials said.
- Construction is temporarily paused as the joint venture between Hyundai and LG cooperates with investigators.
- Raid sparked political backlash, raising concerns about workforce stability and the megasite’s future economic impact.
ELLABELL, Ga. (WSAV) — Federal agents detained roughly 450 workers during a raid at the HL-GA battery plant – part of the Hyundai Megasite in Bryan County – in what ICE describes as a large-scale sting operation.
Georgia’s biggest industrial project just hit a serious legal roadblock. Federal agents launched a surprise ICE raid at the HL-GA battery site in Ellabell – part of the Hyundai Megasite that’s been promising thousands of new jobs. Now the raid raised questions about who was working there, and whether laws were broken in the rush to get this project off the ground.
WSAV is working to learn more about the operation and where the detainees were taken. Federal officials are expected to clarify the purpose of their presence later this morning.
The ICE-led raid happened early Thursday morning at the HL-GA battery site, part of the sprawling Hyundai Megasite in Bryan County. Federal agents in tactical gear, supported by Georgia State Patrol, FBI, and DEA, entered the facility under a criminal search warrant tied to alleged unlawful employment practices. Unmarked buses were seen leaving the site, officials confirmed last night in a post that about 450 people were detained from the site. The company behind the plant, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG, says it’s cooperating with investigators and has temporarily paused construction. Meanwhile, Georgia Labor Leaders have slammed the raid as a politically motivated attack on immigrant workers, while state lawmakers are calling for stricter oversight. With the battery plant still months from completion, questions now loom over workforce stability and the future of the project.
Federal agents from at least five different agencies executed a criminal search warrant at the site, which is a key part of the $5 billion Hyundai Megasite. Witnesses told WSAV over email that there were so many vehicles that it appeared more than 300 agents were reportedly involved in the operation, making it one of the largest workplace enforcement actions in recent Georgia history.
“We are making many arrests of undocumented individuals. We have encountered many lawful employees working here, United States citizens and lawful permanent residents and they are, of course, being released,” said Steven Schrank, the Special Agent in Charge of HSI Atlanta & Georgia.
The company behind the plant, a joint venture between Hyundai and LG, says it’s cooperating
Investigators have temporarily paused construction. With the battery plant still months from completion, questions now loom over workforce stability and the future of the project.
Overview of Hyundai battery plant under federal investigation:
• Ice raids the Hyundai-affiliated battery plant
• Allegations of illegal employment spark a federal operation
• Construction halted, press conference at 10:30 am today
• HL-GA battery says it is cooperating with investigators
WSAV will bring you the latest updates following this morning’s press conference.
Here is what we know (and what we don’t) before today’s press conference:
Was this the first major ICE raid in Bryan County?
• There’s no record of similar enforcement actions in Bryan County, making this operation highly likely the first of its scale in the area.
Is this considered a large ICE raid for Georgia?
• Yes, the site targeted Thursday is one of Georgia’s largest and well-known manufacturing projects and was recently celebrated as the state’s biggest economic development initiative. The plant is expected to bring over 8,000 new jobs to the area.
Was the raid expected or unexpected?
• From available reports and online posts, this raid was unexpected. The raid occurred without prior warning, quickly halting construction and resulting in widespread surprise across the site. Workers filmed the operation unfolding.
What About the Impact on Workers?
• Although construction on the HL-GA battery plant is currently paused, the neighboring EV manufacturing plant remains operational, and normal work schedules weren’t disrupted for those already on the job, that’s separate from the battery site. However, the ICE raid’s surprise could leave workers and those within the community in shock – especially as this battery plant was expected to open next year and was generating anticipation for new jobs.
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