Over 300 South Korean Workers Initiate Legal Action Over Raid at Georgia Hyundai Plant

More than 300 South Korean workers detained during a large-scale immigration raid last year at a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Georgia are taking formal steps to challenge the U.S. government. The workers have begun filing administrative claims against nine federal agencies, a required precursor to a federal lawsuit, CNN reported on Tuesday.

Details of the Legal Action

According to the report, which cited a lawyer representing the claimants, administrative claims have been filed with agencies including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). The FBI, the Department of Justice, and the Department of Labor were also among the agencies named.

This action follows the detention of hundreds of workers, most of whom were South Korean nationals, during a raid at the Georgia facility in September 2025. The filing of these claims is a procedural necessity that allows the federal government to review and potentially settle the matter before it proceeds to litigation in federal court.

Background of the Raid

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The raid targeted a facility operated as a joint venture between Hyundai Motor and South Korea’s LG Energy Solution. U.S. authorities described the operation as the largest single-site enforcement action in the history of the Department of Homeland Security.

Reports at the time indicated that the treatment of the detained workers caused significant public outcry in South Korea, a key U.S. ally. Images and video showed workers shackled at the wrists, waist, and ankles. The source also noted that workers' phones were confiscated, delaying their ability to contact family members.

Corporate and Government Response

The Georgia plant represents a significant investment in the U.S. electric vehicle supply chain by the two major South Korean corporations. As of the report, neither Hyundai nor the U.S. Department of Homeland Security had immediately responded to a Reuters request for comment on the legal filings.