Hyundai plant in Georgia rocked as 475 workers taken by ICE in huge raid

In what was another crackdown on immigrants in the United States—this time in the state of Georgia—the Homeland Security in Atlanta arrested 475 people after a raid on a Hyundai plant in Georgia, reports ABC News.

The Department of Homeland security claimed that the crackdown was done because of a criminal investigation into their “unlawful employment practices” and other “serious federal crimes”, reports said.

Georgia Hyundai raid details

Steve Schrank, an investigator with Homeland Security in Atlanta, at a Press conference on Friday said that the raid was authorised through a warrant which was a result of a month-long investigation into the Ellabel based facility—just 30 miles off Savannah area of Georgia.


Schrank bragged about the raid, saying that it was indeed the biggest in the history of Homeland. “This in fact was the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations," he claimed, adding that the arrested individuals work for contractors and Hyundai alike.

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Hyundai response and international concerns

Hyundai, however, denied the allegations, saying that as of now, “none of those detained is directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company.”

Though Federal officials also said that they are planning a press release to reveal info on illegal employment practices in Georgia, the Department of Homeland released a statement saying “This investigation is focused on ensuring accountability for those who violate the law and upholding the rule of law.”

South Korea’s foreign ministry raised its concerns over the raid, saying it has expressed “regrets” to the US over the treatment of its companies, and saying that it expects that “legitimate rights and interests of our citizens are not violated.”

FAQs

Q1. Why did Homeland Security raid the Hyundai plant in Georgia?
They raided the plant as part of an investigation into illegal employment and other federal crimes.

Q2. Were the people arrested directly working for Hyundai?
No, Hyundai said none of those arrested are directly employed by the company.