Federal immigration authorities last week oversaw a sweeping law enforcement operation at the giant $4.3 billion Hyundai electric vehicle manufacturing plant 30 miles west of Savannah. The U.S. Immigration Customs and Enforcement oversaw the raid which occurred after an extensive probe that uncovered shocking evidence of illegality which was presented to a judge who signed search warrants.
Four hundred seventy-five workers were arrested at the site’s battery plant area that’s under construction. (HL-GA Battery announced it has paused construction and is cooperating with authorities.) The majority arrested were Korean nationals here illegally, according to Steven Schrank, a special agent overseeing Homeland Security Investigations. He said the individuals worked for Hyundai and the subcontractors, and that the investigation is ongoing since additional evidence was seized in the sweep.
The Georgia State Patrol supported the operation by securing the perimeter and providing aviation support. Some illegal aliens were even arrested trying to escape by jumping into a lake.
Kevin Souza worked in construction there and is a whistleblower who exposed safety concerns at the Hyundai site– especially alleging that illegal aliens were working in unsafe conditions. In fact, since he alerted the media, multiple workers have been hurt and some even died at the construction site. Souza, who met a Savannah WTOC TV reporter at the plant, says he’s gratified that the feds finally acted and that wrongs are being righted. “It’s not just about the workers that are here (illegally), it’s also about the way the workers are treated and the companies that are in there,” Souza told WTOC. “No one in America should be treated like that or have to work in these kinds of conditions.”
State Rep. Jesse Petrea, R-Savannah, told WTOC TV “it’s very disheartening if indeed there’s a large presence of people illegally here. They are not only driving wages down for American workers; they are taking jobs from American workers. It is unacceptable at any time, but especially when we’ve offered these kinds of tax incentives to bring industry here.”
When asked if he thinks Hyundai needs to face some sort of accountability from the state of Georgia, Petrea said, “Absolutely. Absolutely. Absolutely. And I’ll tell you, there has been a multitude of meetings with them to make sure that no one in this country illegally is working on this job site… because I’ve been present for those meetings.”
