‘Migrant Equity Southeast’ calls for release of illegal workers following Hyundai megasite ICE raid

SAVANNAH, Ga. (WTOC) - An immigrant-led nonprofit held a press conference Monday in support of migrant communities less than a week after ICE raided the Hyundai megasite in Bryan County.

More than 300 of the 475 workers arrested during last week’s raid are from South Korea, according to officials.

The South Korean foreign minister is headed to the United States on Monday to further discuss the workers’ release, which was announced over the weekend.

Federal agents raided Hyundai’s megasite last Thursday. Agents focused on an electric vehicle battery plant that is still under construction and jointly operated by South Korea-based companies Hyundai and LG Energy Solution.

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The several hundred South Korean workers detained will now return on a chartered flight following negotiations between the U.S. and South Korean leaders.

The Consulate General of Mexico also said 23 Mexican nationals were among those arrested.

“By 6:30 p.m., seven buses had been filled with workers from South Korea, Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and Venezuela to be detained,” said Litigation Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Atlanta, Meredith Yoon.

In response to the raid, the group--Migrant Equity Southeast--held a press conference Monday at 11 a.m.

Watch the full press conference below:

The group said they will demand accountability and protection for immigrant communities in the state.

“We also reject the federal administration’s narrative that this raid was meant to hold Hyundai accountable for illegal hiring practices. If that was really the case, why has Hyundai faced no repercussions? Why is it only the working class, community members, and people who contribute to our economy, the only ones facing harm?” asked Migrant Equity Executive Director, Daniela Rodriguez.

Migrant Equity Southeast is now calling for the release of all the immigrants removed from Hyundai last week.

They essentially said, it’s wrong that these workers are facing the consequences of this when they say it should be the company.

Multiple groups and activists joined alongside Migrant Equity Southeast to ‘hold Hyundai accountable’.

They’re asking for accountability from the Korean supergiant, along with its subcontractors.

“Employers in the Hyundai supply chain try to avoid all responsibility for their workers’ well-being by hiring workers through staffing agencies and subcontractors,” said legal and policy Director for Centro de los Derechos del Migrante, Julia Salorzano.

They also asked for action from local officials, along with dignity & due process for those being detained.

“Documented or not, no one should be subjected to militarized raids in their workplace,” said Yoon.

Activists mentioned the previously reported deaths at the site, saying that it should’ve been a wake-up call a long time ago. Emphasizing that this raid exposes a broken system.

“No one has won in this situation. Not our immigrant neighbors, certainly, not worker safety, not environmental or other types of legal compliance, and certainly not Georgians,” said Democratic State Representative for District 163, Anne Allen-Westbrook.

Homeland Security says no one was removed who was here legally, like Migrant Equity claims.

“Some that illegally crossed the border into the United States, some that came in through a visa waiver and were prohibited from working, and some that had visas and overstayed their visas. Each individual was questioned on their status, their documents were checked, and their backgrounds were checked,” said Steven Schrank, Homeland Security Investigations’ special agent.

The lead investigator on the case says what happened at the megasite undermines our economy and violates the law.

“This operation underscores our commitment to protecting jobs for Georgians and Americans, ensuring a level playing field for businesses that comply with the law, safeguarding the integrity of our economy, and protecting workers from exploitation,” said Schrank.

We did ask Migrant Equity 3 separate times what exact consequences they would like to see in this case. They didn’t ever specify what exact punishment they saw fit.

They said in the meantime, they will continue advocating for the families affected.