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South Korean workers file claims against U.S. government over Georgia raid
More than 300 South Korean workers are initiating legal proceedings against the U.S. government following a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai and LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site in Ellabell, Georgia. The workers have begun filing administrative claims with nine federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, the FBI, and the Departments of Justice and Labor. This is a mandatory step before they can pursue formal lawsuits under the Federal Tort Claims Act.
The legal action follows a September 2025 raid that resulted in the detention of 475 individuals, over 300 of whom were South Korean nationals. The claimants allege they were subjected to unlawful detention, poor living conditions in ICE facilities, and were forced to sign documents without interpreters. They are seeking compensation for lost wages, confiscated property, and psychological trauma.
U.S. authorities stated the raid was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices. Meanwhile, Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution have distanced themselves from the legal actions, stating that the claims are individual decisions made by the workers and that the companies are not involved in the litigation.
Entities
Department of Homeland Security · Georgia · Hyundai · Hyundai Motor Group · Immigration and Customs Enforcement · LG Energy Solution · U.S. Department of Homeland Security · U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [○ 1 SOURCE] LG Energy Solution is distancing itself from the legal actions, stating they are individual decisions by workers. www.koreatimes.co.kr
- [● 5 SOURCES] Of the detainees, 316 were South Korean nationals who were subsequently deported. www.hani.co.kr · www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.japantimes.co.jp · www.independent.co.uk · www.entornointeligente.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The administrative claims are being filed with nine federal agencies. www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.japantimes.co.jp · www.independent.co.uk
- [● 3 SOURCES] The raid was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of unlawful employment practices and other federal crimes. www.japantimes.co.jp · www.independent.co.uk · www.jnilbo.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Hyundai Motor Group stated it is not involved in the legal actions taken by workers from partner companies. www.koreatimes.co.kr
- [● 7 SOURCES] More than 300 South Korean workers are filing administrative claims against the U.S. government. www.hani.co.kr · www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.japantimes.co.jp · www.independent.co.uk · www.jnilbo.com · +2 more
- [● 6 SOURCES] The raid at the Hyundai and LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia resulted in 475 total detainees. www.hani.co.kr · www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.japantimes.co.jp · www.independent.co.uk · www.jnilbo.com · +1 more
- [● 5 SOURCES] The administrative claims are being filed with nine federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security, ICE, FBI, and the Departments of Justice and Labor. www.koreatimes.co.kr · www.japantimes.co.jp · www.independent.co.uk · www.jnilbo.com · www.tfmedia.co.kr