US law enforcement and immigration authorities detained 450 illegal immigrants at a Hyundai Motor plant in Georgia, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) reported, quoted by “Reuters“, BTA reports.
The plant is a joint venture for battery production between South Korean manufacturer LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor and is due to start operations later this year.
Stephen Schrank, special agent in charge of homeland security for Georgia, said the raid was court-ordered and aimed at investigating illegal employment practices. During the operation, according to South Korean media, about 30 South Korean citizens were also detained.
Hyundai Motor assured that the production of electric vehicles at the site was not affected. In a statement, the company said it was “fully cooperating with relevant authorities regarding the activities of our construction site“ and that construction work had been temporarily suspended to facilitate the investigation.