Korean Workers Lawsuit, 200 Engineers Sue ICE After Georgia Plant Raid

Nearly 200 South Korean engineers detained during an ICE raid at the Hyundai-LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia on September 4, 2025, are preparing to file a class-action lawsuit against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, alleging racial discrimination, human rights violations, excessive force, and unlawful detention. The workers are seeking compensation for damages after being held in chains for seven days despite many holding valid work visas.

The lawsuit represents what authorities called the largest single-site immigration enforcement operation in U.S. history. During the September 4 raid, hundreds of federal and state officers—including ICE, Homeland Security Investigations, Georgia State Patrol, FBI, DEA, and ATF—detained 475 people, with roughly 300 to 317 being South Korean nationals.

What Is the Korean Workers Lawsuit About?

The Korean workers lawsuit centers on allegations that ICE violated constitutional protections during the raid at the $7.6 billion electric vehicle battery plant construction site near Savannah.

The expected lawsuit argues that agents allegedly presented arrest warrants in English, a language most detained South Korean workers do not speak, and that groups were moved to holding areas where phones were confiscated. Many detainees reported being shackled at the wrists, ankles, and waist, and some were transported to detention facilities and held for about a week.

Worker “Kim” (who requested anonymity) described the experience: “To this day, we still don’t know why we were detained like that. There has been no apology or explanation from the authorities.”

Korean Workers Lawsuit, 200 Engineers Sue ICE After Georgia Plant Raid—What You Need to Know

Legal Claims in the Korean Workers Lawsuit

The class-action lawsuit alleges multiple violations:

Constitutional and Civil Rights Violations:

Unlawful detention without probable cause
Racial profiling based on nationality and language
Denial of access to legal counsel
Excessive use of force and restraints

Human Rights Violations:

Workers reported being treated “like criminals” despite valid visa status
Confiscation of communication devices
Detention in overcrowded facilities (up to 70 people per cell)
No clear explanation of charges during initial custody days

Due Process Violations:

Several workers said they received no clear explanation of charges or their status during the first days in custody
English-only warrants presented to non-English speakers
Lack of Miranda rights notification

Attorneys coordinating the action say the filing will seek compensation and court oversight after what workers describe as a sweeping enforcement operation.

Who Is Eligible for the Korean Workers Class Action?

Eligibility for the Korean workers lawsuit includes:

Primary Plaintiffs:

South Korean engineers and skilled workers detained during the September 4, 2025, raid
Workers who held valid B-1 business visas or other legal work authorization
Employees of LG Energy Solution (approximately 50 workers, including 46 Koreans and one Indonesian)
Employees of HL-GA Battery Company LLC and subcontractors (approximately 250 workers)

Visa Status: Many detainees held B-1 business visas as short-term technical specialists brought to the United States to install equipment and train American workers at the under-construction facility.

Not Directly Employed by Hyundai: While none of the Korean nationals worked directly for Hyundai, about 50 worked for LG Energy Solutions and another 250 mostly Korean national employees worked for HL-GA Battery Company LLC.

Current Case Status and Timeline

September 4, 2025: ICE agents raided the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America electric vehicle production site in Ellabell, Bryan County, Georgia, detaining approximately 475 workers.

September 11, 2025: Korean detainees were eventually released without any charges against them.

September 12, 2025: More than 300 Korean workers returned to South Korea on a chartered Korean Air jet.

September 15, 2025: South Korea announced it would investigate whether detained individuals suffered human rights violations during the raid and detention process.

November 2025 (Current): Approximately 200 of the detained workers are preparing to file the class-action lawsuit.

The lawsuit has not yet been formally filed but is in preparation stages with attorneys gathering sworn statements and evidence.

What Compensation Are Workers Seeking?

The workers are seeking compensation for damages resulting from the detention and alleged civil rights violations. While specific compensation amounts have not been publicly disclosed, the lawsuit seeks:

Potential Damages Include:

Economic damages for lost wages during detention
Compensation for psychological trauma and distress
Punitive damages for constitutional violations
Costs associated with legal fees and deportation
Damages for wrongful detention and imprisonment

Additional Relief Sought:

Court oversight of future ICE operations at industrial sites
Policy changes to prevent similar incidents
Official correction of detention records
Public acknowledgment of improper conduct

The case could set precedent for how immigration enforcement operates at large industrial construction projects involving international workers.

Impact on the Battery Plant and Industry

Hyundai CEO José Muñoz stated the raid would delay the plant’s opening by at least two to three months. The Georgia factory is now “scheduled to be operational in the first half of 2026.”

James Kim, CEO of the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea, estimates thousands of workers left the U.S. to return to Korea in the immediate aftermath of the raid. Business travel from South Korea to the U.S. dropped sharply following the incident.

The $7.6 billion plant was expected to create thousands of jobs and represents a significant investment in U.S. electric vehicle manufacturing capacity.

Legal Framework and Federal Immigration Law

The Korean workers lawsuit raises questions about the intersection of immigration enforcement and employment law protections.

B-1 Visa Requirements: B-1 business visitor visas allow foreign nationals to enter the U.S. temporarily for business activities like consulting, attending conferences, or installing equipment—but not for regular employment.

ICE Authority: ICE has authority to conduct worksite enforcement operations targeting employers who hire undocumented workers or violate immigration laws.

Constitutional Protections: Even non-citizens in the U.S. have constitutional protections including:

Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable searches and seizures
Fifth Amendment due process rights
Equal protection under the law

The lawsuit will argue that the raid’s scope and tactics went beyond reasonable enforcement and violated constitutional protections, particularly in how officers allegedly targeted groups of workers based on nationality and language.

How the Raid Unfolded

Worker accounts describe federal agents swarming the site, detaining more than 500 workers. Workers and contractors at the site said ICE agents arrived in tactical gear with rifles, backed by helicopters and drones, and quickly shut down movement across multiple areas of the property.

Kim said agents confiscated workers’ phones and shackled them around their wrists, ankles, and chest. “Being confined in a space controlled by armed personnel, unable to see what was happening ahead or behind, with no explanations — it was terrifying. I felt utterly powerless. We were completely cut off from the outside world and had no understanding of what was going on.”

As they struggled to walk in restraints, some tripped and fell while being loaded onto buses.

Government Response and Diplomatic Tensions

The raid led to a diplomatic dispute between the United States and South Korea, with over 300 Koreans detained, and increased concerns about foreign companies investing in the United States.

White House Statement: Spokesperson Abigail Jackson highlighted that “any foreign workers brought in for specific projects must enter the United States legally and with proper work authorizations,” adding that President Trump would continue enforcing federal immigration laws while making the U.S. “the best place in the world to do business.”

ICE Statement: Immigration and Customs Enforcement said the historic raid sent “a clear and unequivocal message that those who exploit our workforce, undermine our economy and violate federal laws will be held accountable.”

South Korean Government: South Korean President Lee Jae Myung said the raid was “bewildering” and said the country would discourage future investment in the United States.

What Companies Are Saying

LG Energy Solution: Companies employing the detained workers, including LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Engineering, said they are not involved in the matter, as “the lawsuit is being pursued on an individual basis.”

In a statement, LG Energy Solution said “we immediately suspended all business trips to the U.S.” after the raid but has since resumed construction and travel.

Hyundai: Hyundai later told ABC News the Georgia factory remains “dedicated to full compliance with all laws and regulation.”

How to File a Claim or Join the Lawsuit

Workers who believe they are eligible for the Korean workers class action should:

Step 1: Document Your Experience

Gather detention records and documentation
Save communication records from the September 4 raid
Collect visa documentation and employment records
Document medical or psychological effects

Step 2: Contact Coordinating Attorneys The lawsuit is being coordinated by attorneys representing the detained workers. Workers identified as eligible should contact legal representatives handling the class-action preparation.

Step 3: Preserve Evidence

Keep all documents related to your employment at the battery plant
Save any communication with ICE or detention facilities
Document any ongoing effects on employment or immigration status

Important Deadline Considerations: While the lawsuit is still being prepared, potential plaintiffs should act quickly. Federal civil rights claims typically have strict statute of limitations requirements.

Common Misconceptions About the Korean Workers Lawsuit

Misconception #1: All detained workers were undocumented Reality: Many of those detained held valid work visas and were legally employed at the nearly 3,000-acre electric-vehicle battery plant.

Misconception #2: Workers can’t sue federal agencies Reality: The Federal Tort Claims Act and civil rights statutes allow individuals to sue federal agencies for constitutional violations, including improper detention and civil rights abuses.

Misconception #3: Only U.S. citizens have constitutional rights Reality: Constitutional protections including due process and equal protection apply to all persons within U.S. jurisdiction, regardless of citizenship status.

Misconception #4: The companies will compensate workers Reality: Hyundai and LG have stated they are not involved in the lawsuit, as it is being pursued on an individual basis by affected workers.

Latest Developments and What’s Next

Investigation by South Korea: South Korean authorities are investigating whether workers were not read their rights while being arrested and whether they were mocked by ICE agents about North Korea and “rocket man” in reference to Trump’s comments about Kim Jong-un.

Future Worksite Operations: ICE faces growing calls to explain how it plans to conduct future on-site operations at large industrial projects without repeating the turmoil seen in Savannah.

Industry Impact: The case could affect how international companies approach U.S. manufacturing investments and how they manage international worker assignments during construction phases.

Comparison to Other Labor Immigration Cases

The Korean workers lawsuit represents unprecedented scope in several ways:

Scale: Attorneys say the raid represents the largest single-site immigration action in U.S. history by their tally, with about 475 detentions including roughly 300 to 317 South Korean nationals.

Worker Status: Unlike many worksite enforcement actions targeting undocumented workers, this case involves skilled engineers and technicians who allege they held proper visa status.

International Implications: The diplomatic tensions and investment concerns distinguish this case from typical domestic employment disputes.

FAQs About the Korean Workers Lawsuit

Q: What is the Korean workers lawsuit?

The Korean workers lawsuit is a class-action case being prepared by approximately 200 South Korean engineers detained during an ICE raid on September 4, 2025, at the Hyundai-LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia, alleging racial discrimination, human rights violations, excessive force, and unlawful detention.

Q: Who is eligible to join the Korean workers lawsuit?

Eligible participants include South Korean workers detained during the September 4, 2025, raid who held valid visas or legal work authorization, particularly those employed by LG Energy Solution, HL-GA Battery Company LLC, or subcontractors at the Georgia battery plant construction site.

Q: How much compensation can Korean workers receive?

Specific compensation amounts have not been disclosed. Workers are seeking compensation for damages including lost wages, psychological trauma, wrongful detention, and civil rights violations. Final amounts will depend on case outcomes and individual circumstances.

Q: When was the Korean workers lawsuit filed?

As of November 2025, the lawsuit is still being prepared and has not been formally filed. Roughly 200 of those detained are preparing to file a lawsuit against ICE. Attorneys are gathering evidence and sworn statements.

Q: What legal claims are involved in the Korean workers lawsuit?

The lawsuit alleges unlawful detention, racial profiling, excessive use of force, denial of access to counsel, human rights violations, and constitutional violations including Fourth Amendment protection against unreasonable seizures and Fifth Amendment due process rights.

Q: Were the Korean workers charged with crimes?

The Korean detainees were eventually released on Sept. 11 without any charges against them. Many held valid B-1 business visas and were legally working at the construction site.

Q: How can I join the Korean workers class action?

Contact the attorneys coordinating the class-action lawsuit. Document your detention experience, gather visa and employment records, and preserve all evidence related to the September 4, 2025, raid. Act quickly due to statute of limitations considerations.

What Affected Workers Should Do Now

If you were detained during the September 4, 2025, ICE raid at the Hyundai-LG battery plant:

Consult with attorneys coordinating the class-action lawsuit
Document all effects on your employment, immigration status, and wellbeing
Preserve evidence including detention records and communication with authorities
Review your visa status and any immigration consequences from the detention
Act quickly to meet potential filing deadlines for joining the class action

“All we want now is for the record to be corrected and the truth to be known,” said Kim, one of the detained workers.

Disclaimer: This information is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Korean workers lawsuit eligibility, compensation amounts, and claim procedures vary by individual circumstances and applicable law. Consult official court documents, case information, or a qualified attorney for specific guidance regarding Korean workers lawsuit participation or claim filing. The case is still being prepared and details may change as the lawsuit develops.

Last Updated: November 13, 2025

Sources: Information compiled from court records, news reports from The Korea Times, ABC News, CNN, AsAmNews, VisaVerge, and other reputable sources covering the September 2025 ICE raid at the Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia.

About the Author

Sarah Klein, JD, is a licensed attorney and legal content strategist with over 12 years of experience across civil, criminal, family, and regulatory law. At All About Lawyer, she covers a wide range of legal topics — from high-profile lawsuits and courtroom stories to state traffic laws and everyday legal questions — all with a focus on accuracy, clarity, and public understanding.
Her writing blends real legal insight with plain-English explanations, helping readers stay informed and legally aware.
Read more about Sarah

Korean Workers Lawsuit, 200 Engineers Sue ICE After Georgia Plant Raid—What You Need to Know