Ellabell, Georgia: what began as a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant grew into a major international issue, straining ties between the United States and South Korea.

Earlier this month, federal agents detained nearly 475 workers at the construction site of the new battery facility outside Savannah. Authorities say the raid was part of an investigation into visa violations and illegal hiring practices. Many of those detained were South Korean nationals who had been brought in through subcontractors to help install specialized equipment.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security called it the largest worksite enforcement action in the agency’s history. But what may have started as a workplace raid has since sparked a diplomatic conflict.

Reports from workers and South Korean media outlets describe harsh treatment during the arrests. Some workers were shackled, while others were allegedly denied immediate access to translators or lawyers. Videos of the incident spread quickly online, fueling anger in South Korea.

In response, South Korea’s government demanded answers. Officials in Seoul called the arrest excessive and raised concerns about human rights violations. President Lee Jae Myung and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held urgent talks with U.S. leaders, pushing for the release of their citizens.

By the end of the week, a deal was struck: more than 300 South Koreans would be released on the condition that they leave the U.S. voluntarily. A chartered plane carried the first group of workers back home, while others continued to face legal review.

The raid also raised economic concerns in Georgia. Over the past several years, the state has invested heavily in partnerships with South Korean companies. Hyundai, LG, and other manufacturers have brought billions of dollars in investment and promised thousands of jobs to local communities.

Now, business leaders fear the raid could make foreign companies think twice before investing. Georgia officials are caught in the middle: they want to show support for international investors, but they also must respect federal law.

The timing of the raid adds to the tension. Immigration enforcement has been a hot-button political issue in the U.S., and the government has been under pressure to show it is serious about workplace violations.

But critics argue that a raid of this size may have gone too far, especially given the workers specialized roles in building the new factory. They warn that such actions could damage relationships with key economic partners and slow down projects meant to create American jobs.

For now, attention remains on the workers still in custody and the future of the plant. The project is expected to be delayed by at least several months, and the U.S. and South Korean officials are continuing negotiations.

The bigger question is what this means for the future of the U.S. South Korea business ties. Both governments will likely need to revisit visa rules and labor policies to prevent another situation like this.

As Georgia tries to balance its reputation as a hub for foreign investment with the need to follow immigration laws, one thing is clear: this raid has turned a local workplace issue into an international story.