The USA authorities has reportedly issued an apology to automaker Hyundai after an immigration raid noticed 300 of the automaker’s staff detained – and delayed the opening of a brand new manufacturing unit.
The September raid by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a $US12.6 billion ($A19.4 billion) battery plant being constructed in Bryan County, Georgia – which Hyundai is constructing in partnership with electronics firm LG – noticed staff handcuffed and compelled to the ground earlier than arrests had been made.
The raid sparked protests in South Korea and raised tensions between US President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung.
President Lee described the state of affairs as “extraordinarily bewildering” and mentioned it was widespread to ship staff to assist set up new factories just like the one US ICE authorities raided.
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“If that’s not allowed, establishing manufacturing services within the US will solely grow to be harder … making firms query whether or not it’s price doing in any respect,” President Lee mentioned, as reported by the BBC.
Satirically, President Trump’s administration launched automotive tariffs earlier this 12 months with the objective of encouraging automotive producers to supply extra autos and components within the US.
The US President mentioned he was against the raids, which Hyundai Motor Firm president Jose Muñoz mentioned delayed the opening of the manufacturing unit by at the least two months whereas the corporate seems for substitute staff.
Mr Muñoz described the raid as a “unhealthy shock”, however earlier this week mentioned each the White Home and the governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, had made contact to apologise for the raid.

Governor Kemp had attended the March 2025 opening of the close by Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant which has the capability to supply 500,000 electrical and hybrid autos yearly, which the raided battery plant is to produce.
As reported by the BBCthe Hyundai boss mentioned somebody “made a cellphone name and made it appear like there have been unlawful immigrants” on the manufacturing unit, which he added was “completely not the case”.
Mr Muñoz added Hyundai Motor Firm, which additionally consists of Kia – each manufacturers within the high ten hottest makes within the US – stays dedicated to manufacturing and promoting automobiles within the US regardless of the disruption to its operations.
The US is the world’s largest new automotive market with round 16 million gross sales yearly, second solely to China.

Hyundai’s largest manufacturing unit in North America is its Alabama operation, the place it builds the Santa Fe and Tucson SUVs in addition to the Holy Cross pickup. It additionally produces the GV70 SUV for the corporate’s Genesis luxurious model.
None of Hyundai’s present Australian lineup is made within the US, whereas Genesis fashions bought listed below are made in South Korea.
MORE: Discover the Hyundai showroom
