 |
Photo: Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) in Georgia, U.S. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] ATLANTA, Georgia — November 11, 2025 — Hundreds of workers who were arrested and detained during an immigration raid at the Hyundai Motor–LG Energy Solution joint battery plant in Georgia are preparing to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), alleging racial discrimination, human rights violations, and excessive use of force.
According to industry sources and a report by ABC News, about 200 workers are planning to take legal action against ICE over the September 4 raid at the construction site in Bryan County, Georgia. During the operation, U.S. authorities detained 475 people, including 317 South Korean nationals, claiming to target undocumented workers.
Witnesses say even workers holding valid visas were handcuffed and chained “like criminals” and detained for up to seven days in overcrowded rooms with up to 70 people per cell before being released.
One of the detainees, identified only as Mr. Kim, told ABC News, “I still don’t understand why I was detained for seven days when I did nothing wrong, and no one has apologized. All I want is for the record to be corrected and the truth to come out.”
Companies employing the workers, including LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Engineering, stated that they are not involved in the lawsuit, describing it as a personal legal action taken by affected individuals.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
