Work paused at Hyundai's US site after hundreds of workers detained in raid

Up to 450 workers at a Hyundai Motor facility under construction in Georgia have been detained in a major raid by US authorities that has led to a pause in the project to build a car battery factory, Report informs via Reuters.

The raid on Thursday has dealt a setback to the project, which is part of what would be the biggest investments in the state, and illustrates the increasing crackdown by the Trump administration on immigrants and its impact on businesses.

An agent at the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said multiple US agencies "conducted a judicially authorised enforcement operation, as we are actively conducting an investigation into unlawful employment practices."

"Arrests are being made," Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations for Georgia, said in a news briefing aired on US television.

A Korean news report said about 30 South Korean nationals had been detained.

The Atlanta office of the US Justice Department agency ATF reported the raid in a post on X.

The battery production facility, a joint venture between South Korean battery maker LG Energy Solution (LGES), and Hyundai Motor, was due to start operations at the end of this year, according to LGES.

A spokesperson at the Hyundai-GA battery company said in a statement that it was "cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities regarding activity at our construction site" and that it had paused construction work to assist.

Hyundai Motor said its production of electric vehicles at the sprawling site was not affected.

"We are closely cooperating with the South Korean government and relevant authorities to ensure the safety of our employees and staff at contractors, and to secure their swift release from detention," LG Energy Solution said in a statement, adding it is providing "all necessary support, including interpreters and legal assistance."