Back in the dim mists of time, under one of the Bush Administrations, I remember reading a National Review or Weekly Standard piece on immigration enforcement that threw in the line “Obviously we’re not going to be raiding job sites anymore,” and I remember doing a double-take. “Why not? They’re illegal aliens. Deport them and fine the company illegally hiring them, and then start arresting them if they do it again.” This was my first inkling that there were Republicans who though that illegal aliens entering the country was no big deal as long as they could get consumer goods a few cents cheaper.
I can only assume President Trump’s reaction was much the same, as federal authorities just arrested 475 illegal aliens at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia.
The Hyundai Motor Group facility in Ellabell, Georgia, stretches across 3,000 acres of what was once sleepy farmland twenty miles outside Savannah. This $4.3 to $7.6 billion joint venture with South Korea’s LG Energy Solutions represents the largest single industrial investment in Georgia’s history, designed to manufacture batteries for electric vehicles and employ over 1,200 Americans. Republican Governor Brian Kemp had hailed it as a crown jewel of economic development, a testament to America’s ability to attract world-class manufacturing back to our shores. I’ll admit, on paper it looked like everything we’ve been asking for.
The sprawling construction site buzzed with activity until Thursday morning, when federal agents arrived with search warrants and a clear message about the difference between legal investment and illegal employment practices. Suddenly, all those rosy economic development photos didn’t tell the whole story.
In the largest single-site operation in Homeland Security Investigations history, federal agents arrested 475 illegal migrants working at the facility. Think about that number for a moment—475 people working illegally at a single site. The raid involved multiple agencies—HSI, ICE, FBI, DEA, ATF, IRS, and Georgia State Patrol—executing what officials described as the culmination of a months-long criminal investigation into unlawful employment practices.
That’s a regular alphabet soup of government agencies. Were the illegal aliens dealing drugs and guns? If not, I fear some lower level federal judge is going to order some illegal aliens freed because they were arrested by the ATF and not ICE. But it does show Trump47 isn’t afraid to use the manpower at his disposal to enforce federal law.
South Korean officials don’t seem to express any embarrassment over a Korean company hiring illegal aliens.
The South Korean foreign ministry expressed ‘concern and regret’ over the raid and sent a counselor and embassy officials to the location.
‘Our companies’ economic activities and our people’s rights should not be infringed unfairly in the US legal enforcement process,’ Lee Jae-woong, a spokesperson for South Korea’s foreign ministry, said on Friday, according to the Financial Times.
Or, hear me out, maybe Hyundai could obey the laws of the country they’re building their factory in.
When it comes to immigration enforcement,the Trump Administration isn’t just talking the talk, it’s walking the walk.
This is a refreshing change.
Tags: ATF, Border Controls, Crime, DEA, electric cars, Ellabell, FBI, Georgia, Hyundai, Illegal Aliens, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, IRS, Lee Jae-woong, LG
What do you want to bet that many of those same illegals were working on the Holland, Michigan Lucky Goldstar LFP battery plant before they went to Georgia?
“Our companies’ economic activities and our people’s rights should not be infringed unfairly in the US legal enforcement process,” Lee Jae-woong, a spokesperson for South Korea’s foreign ministry, said on Friday.
How about the rights of the US workers?
How about the rights of all of us to have foreign companies obey our laws?
I can tell you that if you break SKs laws in South Korea – you will not like the consequences.
I hope construction is held up for months and costs them millions.
The really wacko detail is that of the ~475 arrested, over 300 were Koreans that were evidently smuggled in just for this project. People there said all these guys seemed to know each other. The S Korean government said oops, and is chartering a widebody to get all its people home.
Brings a whole new meaning to remote work.
South Korean guest workers will be instructing the US Navy how to build ships on time and under budget. Poland has sought their assistance in constructing the K2 Black Panther Main Battle tank and Canada will purchase six diesel-powered submarines from them to patrol the Arctic Ocean.
Unlike Tren De Aragua, South Koreaans don’t represent a security threat. The raid seems primarily to have been “made for television” having lots of splash but little substance.
Hyundai is investing USD$4 billion in the battery plant. It is reasonable they wanted their own ( Korean speaking ) suppliers to be in charge of various aspects of construction. US companies do the same when building outside of the US. It is standard practice thoughout the world and throughout history. You would do the same if you were investing that much of your own money. All of the “illegal” workers had various legal visas though many were expired. South Koreans can legally visit / work in the US for 90 days without a formal “visa”. It is called the Visa Waiver Program. The reciprical is the same for US citizens going to South Korea. Best guess, the Koreans were (supposed to be) flying home for a week of so every 90 days.
All of this could have been resolved with one phone call at any time. Why did the Trump administration resolve the problem with a huge raid?
South Korea is riddled with North Korean spies. Why you might want Koreans to follow a visa process, and why you might not want too many Koreans in your military production facilities.
I honestly can’t believe that Trump won’t use this as a cudgel to beat Kemp with. The two can’t stand each other.
The Koreans there should have followed the legal process to get permission to work. I lived in Korea for several years and Koreans were all about laws/rules, etc. until they were too inconvenient to follow. They are like that with contracts too. They will diligently hold you to a contract when it benefits them but expect to be let out of it the second it costs them money. Still loved living there and the people though.
We had a restaurant in the Atlanta Koreatown (wife is Korean) but it crashed when the Trump immigration crackdown happened during his first term as most of the Koreans in the Koreatown there were evidently illegal (mostly visa overstays) and so decided to keep a low profile and not visit restaurants/bars. According to my wife, a large percentage of them were fraudster/scammers fleeing prosecution in Korea.
someone entering the U.S. under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) is not allowed to work.
The VWP only permits travel for tourism or business (e.g., attending conferences, negotiating contracts, or meeting with business partners). It does not authorize employment or payment from a U.S. source. If a traveler wants to work in the U.S., they must apply for the appropriate work visa (such as H-1B, L-1, O-1, etc.).
To be clear: I have no issue with people bringing skills and expertise to our country. I welcome people of all nationalities that have something to offer and are not here just for the free benefits.
But if they cannot follow our rules, they don’t belong here.
This is not a simple oversight on one or two people’s part.
This is nearly 400 people working in this country without authorization.
And there is no way that Hyundai was unaware of that.
“South Korea is riddled with North Korean spies.”
So logically, these North Korean spies would then insinuate themselves among Hundai’s manufacturing. plants so as to steal Top Secret battery technology. Because this very same technology does not already exist in China.
Shouldn’t you be writing “Charlie Chan and The Yellow Peril” mystery novels?
Article 311 of the (South Korean) Criminal Act:
“A person who publicly insults another shall be punished by imprisonment or imprisonment without prison labor for not more than one year or by a fine not exceeding two million won”.
Given the importance of “shame culture” among Asians, wasn’t the public humiliation of these Hyundai employees a little bit heavy handed?
This is irrelevant to the raid on the battery plant, unless the US Navy will contract with South Korean guest workers who overstay visas or entry the country illegally.
“So logically, these North Korean spies would then insinuate themselves among Hundai’s manufacturing. plants so as to steal Top Secret battery technology. Because this very same technology does not already exist in China.”
You might want to read my post again, at a slower pace to improve your comprehension:
“South Korea is riddled with North Korean spies. Why you might want Koreans to follow a visa process, and why you might not want too many Koreans in your military production facilities.”
The issue is our military industrial complex, which you referenced in your prior comment:
“South Korean guest workers will be instructing the US Navy how to build ships on time and under budget. Poland has sought their assistance in constructing the K2 Black Panther Main Battle tank …..”
You have a very short memory of your own prior statements.
The LG Energy Solutions (not Hyundai, by the way) gig is an opportunity for agents of a hostile foreign power (North Korea) to insinuate themselves into America. Relying on Koreans to supply military technology is an even worse security policy than your usual guff.
“This is irrelevant to the raid on the battery plant, unless the US Navy will contract with South Korean guest workers who overstay visas or entry the country illegally..”
South Koreans represent little or no risk to US interests, be they commercial or military. To the contrary, they offer a rich opportunity to further our economic well-being and military security. It makes no difference to either goal that the Koreans overstayed their visas, unless you are wedded to legalistic and pedantic distinctions.
“You might want to read my post again, ..”
Nope! Once was enough to trigger my gag reflex.
“South Korea is riddled with North Korean spies.”
Are these North Korean SPYZE in the chat-room with us now?
“South Koreans represent little or no risk to US interests, be they commercial or military. To the contrary, they offer a rich opportunity to further our economic well-being and military security. It makes no difference to either goal that the Koreans overstayed their visas, unless you are wedded to legalistic and pedantic distinctions.”
North Koreans masquerading as South Koreans do represent a grave risk to U.S. interests when they insinuate themselves into our military industrial complex.
Good to know that you really believe that concerns about illegal immigration are only “legalistic and pedantic”. How are your Spanglish lessons coming along?
“North Koreans masquerading as South Koreans do represent a grave risk to U.S. interests when they insinuate themselves into our military industrial complex..
Why would they disguise themselves as South Koreans when the Chinese have alread enjoyed great success penetrating U.S. businesses, academic institutions, and government entities? It would be like reinventing the wheel.
To offer just one recent example, on Agust 20, 2025 a petty officer stationed at Naval Base San Diego agreed to sell Navy secrets to a Chinese intelligence officer for $12,000. He was convicted of espionage.
Can you offer a similar example of North Koreans gaining access to the “military industrial complex” that would justify your fears? Admittedly, a few may be operating a Mongolian BBQ somewhere on US soil but this does not cross the threshold for being condidered a spy agency.
“Can you offer a similar example of North Koreans gaining access to the “military industrial complex” that would justify your fears?”
CrowdStrike in their August report says they have hundreds of examples (320 mentioned) of North Koreans using false identities, resumes, and work histories to gain employment with U.S. technology firms; mostly remotely. It is a small step for their UFD and 225th Bureau to switch from remote IT attacks to physically insinuating agents into America. Even you have probably noticed that the NorKs have firmly allied with China and Russia recently due to our revanchist Ukraine policy. They are feeling empowered by the recent dog and pony show in Beijing.
You don’t seem to have noticed the one element of this story which requires mathematics. Of the 475 illegals collared in Georgia by ICE, only 300 were Korean. This should prompt some speculation on your part: who exactly the other 175 (37%) illegals were?
“Of the 475 illegals collared in Georgia by ICE, only 300 were Korean. This should prompt some speculation on your part: who exactly the other 175 (37%) illegals were?”
Lemme guess: they are those dreaded UkroNazis you are always warning us about. Amiright?
“Relying on Koreans to supply military technology is an even worse security policy than your usual guff.”
Hyundai will be a leading player in building out the Pacific fleet. They already operate the US Navy’s maintenance, repair and overhaul (MOA) schedule and have few peers in this regard. You may imagine your engineering pretensions give you unparalleled insight into how military technology is practiced but you are only fooling yourself.
South Korean “unreliable” military technology:
Hanwha Ocean/Hyundai Heavy Industries-built KSS-III diesel-electric attack and ballistic missile submarine
Hyundai Rotem-built Black Panther 2 Main Battle tank
Hyundai WIA K9/K55Ai Self-Propelled Artillery
South Korea is analogous to Israel, an embattled Western democracy having to design and produce superior weaponry to defend themselves against a numerically superior enemy.
On an annual basis, Hyundai recalls 3 automobiles for each vehicle they sell in the U.S.A. Their automobiles have been tested in actual service, their military equipment has not.
“South Korean “unreliable” military technology:”
Take a breath and read the ‘Challenges’ section of the Wikipedia page ‘Defense industry of South Korea’.
Then get back to us.
“…the Wikipedia page.”
Wikipedia!?
Nuff said.
South Korea’s ambitious, indigenously designed KSS-III submarine program introduces conventionally armed submarine-launched ballistic-missile (SLBM) capabilities and cements the nation’s reputation as a preeminent builder and operator of non-nuclear air-independent propulsion (AIP) submarines.
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/2023/june/south-koreas-sophisticated-kss-iii-submarines
“Currently the Black Panther is one of the most advanced main battle tanks in the world,..”
https://combatoperators.com/toplist/top-5-deadliest-main-battle-tanks-currently-in-service/
Re: K9 Thunder “Hanwha Aerospace and its subsidiary Hanwha Defense USA have entered the United States, aiming to join the U.S. Army’s efforts to modernize its aging self-propelled howitzer arsenal.”
https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-09-08/business/industry/Faster-to-fire-Hanwhas-K9-takes-aim-at-US-Armys-artillery-modernization/2389615
Since you cannot or will not read, here is one paragraph which is spot on:
‘Defense industry of South Korea’
‘Challenges’
“South Korea’s domestic arms development has been hindered by defects or lackluster results in several of the industry’s defense products. In 2010, 38 of 500 K9 Thunder engines were damaged by faulty maintenance due to the use of cheap antifreeze. The K21 IFV was redesigned following two incidents of it sinking during amphibious operations; one of the incidents killed a soldier. The defects in the K21 were revealed to be caused by a lack of buoyancy, malfunctioning of the waveplate, and problems with the drain pump. The K11 assault rifle has been found to be defective. Problems and cost overruns with the K11 project would continue until 2019, when the government recommended canceling the project entirely. Specifically, South Korea has had a long period of difficulties in the development of domestic engines and transmission systems for its K2 tanks. The first batch of K2s (100 tanks) was originally meant to use a powerpack that uses a domestic engine and transmission system developed by Doosan Infracore and S&T Dynamics. However, reliability and durability problems in both components forced South Korea to import German powerpacks using MTU engines and Renk transmissions. This in turn delayed the K2’s deployment until December 2013 in an attempt to fix the domestic powerpack, and then until March 2014 to ensure that the German powerpacks worked. By the time of the second batch of K2s (106 tanks), the domestic engine had been produced. Unfortunately, South Korea’s efforts to develop the domestic transmission system continued to struggle as it failed durability tests six times. As a result, the production of the second batch of K2s, which originally was to start in 2014, was delayed to 2018, with deployment occurring between 2019 and 2020. On 7 February 2018, DAPA announced it would continue to adopt the German Renk transmission system, effectively making the second batch of K2s operate on a hybrid powerpack consisting of a South Korean engine and German transmission. Although in mid-2020 DAPA announced its commitment to developing the local transmission system for the third batch of K2s (54 tanks), on 25 November, DAPA decided to continue to use the German Renk transmission system as the local transmission failed the durability test again. By the time of the 25 November announcement, South Korea had struggled to develop its domestic transmission system for 15 years. The third batch of K2s will follow the second batch in using the hybrid powerpack.”
The MTU/Renk powerpack is a disaster. The very best piece of NATO equipment to face in the opinion of Russian troops in Ukraine. Why the Russians wiped out the Leopards even faster than the Challengers and Abrams. This gives you a clue as to just how bad the Korean powerpack was.
The Israeli equipment is in a class by itself, because it has been used in combat extensively for years. The Korean equipment has a good track record in parades, but not much else.
“On an annual basis, Hyundai recalls 3 automobiles for each vehicle they sell in the U.S.A.”
Kinda like a Lada, only more so…
You may hate Hyundai’s ships and tanks but you are a big fan of Z-Putin’s military hardware. and would undoubtedly be interested in applying your keen analytical engineering skills to the Lada’s field performance. Unfortunately, they have all been prematurely retired from combat operations.
“You may hate Hyundai’s ships and tanks but you are a big fan of Z-Putin’s military hardware. and would undoubtedly be interested in applying your keen analytical engineering skills to the Lada’s field performance. Unfortunately, they have all been prematurely retired from combat operations.”
The Lada Niva vehicle is actually being deployed in an increasing number of roles in the Russo-Ukraine war. Its latest role is launching the Geranium turbojet drones. This allows the Russians to launch drones without relying on highly vulnerable ramps. The Lada’s light weight allows it to function in muddy conditions which bog down the Mitsubishi Type 73 and the Morooka PC-065B tracked carriers.
Russian equipment doesn’t have the repute of the NATO equipment, but it is actually designed to function in the environmental extremes of Eurasia, a very different environment from NATO, Japan, and Korea.
“Russian equipment doesn’t have the repute of the NATO equipment, but it is actually designed to function in the environmental extremes of Eurasia, a very different environment from NATO, Japan, and Korea.”
Hoo, boy! Those crazy Poles just elected to add 1,000 unreliable Black Panther 2s to their armored divisions and send their surplus T-72s to Ukraine to be used against Russian meat waves.
Just wait until Z-Putin shows up at the Polish border with his Ladas and surplus T-64s. They’ll learn a hard lesson from Russian mobiks.
“Hoo, boy! Those crazy Poles just elected to add 1,000 unreliable Black Panther 2s to their armored divisions and send their surplus T-72s to Ukraine to be used against Russian meat waves.”
The Poles selected the K2 because the Koreans are none too fussy about EUCs (End User Certificates) and only the Koreans offered a coproduction agreement. The K2s use the same grossly unreliable MTU/Renk powerpack that has bedeviled the Polish Leopards. The Koreans have promised to fix the powerpack problems as a condition of the contract. But can they?
As of now, there have been no Polish trials of the K2. Think they just received their first three exemplars last month, on the 25th.
The deal is actually for 182 tanks and 81 support vehicles (an extraordinarily large number, which is a sad indicator of expected reliability). You misinterpreted the 1,000 maximum unit limit of eventual contracts under the EUC due to your reading comprehension deficit.
LG Energy Solution just ordered South Korean employees in their Holland, Michigan battery plant on B-1 or B-2 short-term visit visas not to report to work until further notice. LG workers with an ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization) were advised to return to Korea immediately.
Evidently, LG’s visa fraud is more widespread than previously disclosed.
A substantial number of the 175 non Korean illegals detained in Ellabell, Georgia were from friendly countries like the Peoples Republic of China and the Islamic Republic of Indonesia.