The Department of Homeland Security said agents executed a search warrant as part of a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices. (File Photo)US immigration authorities detained about 475 people during a raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Georgia, officials said on Friday.Steven Schrank, Special Agent in Charge at Homeland Security Investigations, told reporters that most of those detained were from South Korea.“This operation underscores our commitment to jobs for Georgians and Americans,” Schrank said. “This was in fact the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations.”The Department of Homeland Security said agents executed a search warrant as part of a criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices. Schrank said the probe had been underway for several months, with leads coming from community members and former workers. The Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America is seen on March 26, 2025, in Ellabell, Ga. (AP Photo)South Korea’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson, Lee Jaewoong, said the number of detained South Koreans was “large” but did not give a figure. He said the workers were employed through subcontractors and added: “The business activities of our investors and the rights of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed in the process of US law enforcement.”The raid targeted one of Georgia’s largest industrial projects – Hyundai’s $7.6 billion electric vehicle plant west of Savannah, which employs about 1,200 people. Hyundai has partnered with LG Energy Solution to build a nearby battery plant, now under construction.In a statement to the AP, LG said it was “closely monitoring the situation” and working to gather details. Hyundai’s Seoul office did not immediately comment.Story continues below this adThe companies’ battery joint venture, HL-GA Battery Company, said it was cooperating with authorities and had paused construction to assist. Hyundai said operations at its EV manufacturing plant were not interrupted.Stay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt LtdTags:US