Panic and Confusion at Immigration Operation in Georgia Car Factory
ELLABELL, Georgia — Witnessing a scene of chaos and alarm, a South Korean worker at a car factory in Georgia recounted the harrowing experience of a massive immigration operation led by federal agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The operation resulted in the arrest of 475 individuals, including 300 South Korean nationals, some of whom were seen being led away in restraints.
Describing the unfolding events, the anonymous worker revealed that the raid commenced with a sudden influx of phone calls from company executives, urging the shutdown of operations. “Multiple phone lines were ringing and the message was to shut down operations,” he said.
As news of the raid spread, a sense of panic gripped family members trying to reach their detained loved ones. In a heart-wrenching account, the worker shared, “They were detained and they left all their cell phones in the office. They were getting calls, but we couldn’t answer because [the office] was locked.”
According to US officials, the operation targeted workers based on nationality and visa status, with some attempting to flee, including individuals jumping into a nearby sewage pond. The scene unfolded outside the $7.6 billion factory complex, situated half an hour from Savannah, where over 400 state and federal agents orchestrated the operation.
The sprawling complex, which opened last year, specializes in electric vehicle assembly and had come under scrutiny for alleged illegal employment practices concerning an electric vehicle battery plant within the premises.
Described as the largest single-site immigration enforcement operation in Homeland Security investigations history, hundreds of individuals were taken into custody, with the detainments sparking a wave of concern and scrutiny.
Video footage circulating on social media depicted the intense scene within the battery plant, with masked Homeland Security Investigations personnel issuing directives to cease all activities and detain individuals on-site.
In a subsequent interview with BBC Verify, a worker legally permitted to work in the US expressed shock but not surprise at the unfolding events. He noted that the detained workers were primarily mechanics employed by a contractor, with a minority undergoing training from the company’s headquarters in Seoul.
As the investigation continues, both Hyundai and LG Energy, joint owners of the factory, have pledged full cooperation with authorities and have temporarily paused construction activities. Hyundai emphasized that none of the detained individuals were direct employees of the company and reiterated their commitment to regulatory compliance in all markets.
Seeking further insight into the matter, BBC Verify reached out to the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for additional details on the detainments and the rationale behind the operation.
Following the raid, ICE confirmed that all 475 detainees were deemed “illegally present in the United States,” citing various means of entry and visa violations as grounds for detention.
Named “Operation Low Voltage” by officials, the raid targeted an electric battery plant co-located with a Hyundai car factory, with footage showcasing the intense enforcement actions carried out by federal agents.
Amidst the aftermath of the operation, the worker expressed empathy for those detained while acknowledging the inevitability of such crackdowns under the current administration.
SHOCK AND FEAR GRIP COMMUNITY AFTER ICE RAIDS AT MAJOR ELECTRIC CAR FACTORY IN GEORGIA
In a stunning turn of events, a major electric car factory in Ellabell, Georgia was raided by ICE agents, leaving the community in shock and fear. The factory, which has been a major source of employment since its announcement in 2022, now faces uncertainty as specialists and workers were detained.
“It’s a growing community,” said Cho Dahye, president of the Korean American Association of Greater Savannah, reflecting on the impact of the $7.6bn complex. However, the recent ICE arrests have left people shocked and worried about the future.
The man behind the project reiterated the importance of following legal procedures, stating, “Their slogan is America first, and if you work in America legally, you won’t have an issue.” He highlighted the time and administrative hurdles involved in obtaining US visas, warning that foreign companies may now think twice about investing in the United States.
As the BBC visited the site, security teams were on high alert, signaling the tense atmosphere following the raid. Governor Brian Kemp praised the complex as the largest economic development project in Georgia’s history, but now, its future hangs in the balance.
With the community reeling from the ICE raids, Ms. Dahye hopes that the incident will not strain US-South Korean relations. “It’s very shocking to me and the image of a global, well-known company,” she remarked, reflecting the widespread concern and uncertainty gripping the region.
