Construction resumes at HL-GA Battery Company two months after ICE raid
BRYAN COUNTY, Ga. (WTOC) - Construction has resumed at the HL-GA Battery company over two months after the site became the target of the largest single-site raid in the history of Homeland Security Investigations.
On September 4, construction on the site came to a halt as 475 workers were detained by ICE. Around 300 of those workers were South Korean nationals, who were working on the site to install proprietary technology. All but one of the workers were repatriated to their home country after spending a week in ICE detention.
READ: ICE operation pauses construction at Hyundai megasite in Ellabell
The incident sparked outrage in South Korea, and ongoing debate about visa reform for skilled foreign workers in the United States.
According to a spokesperson from HL-GA Battery Company, some of the Korean workers that were detained have now returned to the site to work, though it’s unclear how many:
HL-GA Battery Company has resumed construction activity, prioritizing production zones. We’re proud to welcome back returning and greet new subject matter experts from LG Energy Solution and our partners now arriving on site. Their specialized expertise will drive the installation and training of the advanced machinery that powers our lithium-ion battery cell production. We remain on track to start production in the first half of next year and continue to actively hire local positions to operate the facility. We sincerely thank the U.S. government, especially the White House and the Department of State, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp, and the South Korean government for their collaboration in supporting a smooth and timely return.
Spokesperson, HL-GA Battery Company
The spokesperson adds the company is on track to start production in the first half of 2026.
The news of construction starting back up comes as multiple South Korean media outlets are reporting around 200 of the Korean workers that were detained are preparing to file a lawsuit against ICE for human rights violations and excessive use of force.
A lawsuit was also filed against Hyundai Motor Company on Thursday in California court, seeking to ban the marketing and sale of Hyundai vehicles in the state until alleged “unethical” labor practices in the company’s Georgia and Alabama supply chains end.
Recent Posts
