Just more than a year after it happened, many of those involved in the raid at Hyundai's Metaplant in Georgia have some serious claims about what they experienced.
In a recent CNN exclusive, a Korean attorney reported administrative claims are being filed with nine federal agencies, including ICE and the FBI, on behalf of more than 300 South Korean workers. The lawyer, who CNN says wished to remain anonymous, aims to have all claims filed by the end of the year.
What happened during the 2025 Georgia Hyundai plant immigration raid?
According to USA Today reporting from earlier this year, on Sept. 4, federal agents raided the plant on a warrant to target four Hispanic workers they suspected might be in the U.S. illegally. They detained 475 people, mostly South Korean, in what officials called the largest single-site
raid in ICE history. They were eventually flown home after some time in immigration detention and no criminal charges have been confirmed as part of this operation.
Workers spoke to CNN under some form of anonymity. Multiple people alleged that they were never given any explanation as to what was happening, even after being fully detained. They were allegedly held for hours with no interpreters present and ordered to sign consent-to-arrest forms when they couldn't read what they were signing. The detention center they spent time in allegedly featured frigid conditions with little-to-nothing to sleep under, odious food, and limited open toilets.
The initial claim filed reportedly seeks damages for confiscated belongings, lost work and psychological harm, and alleges false imprisonment, abuse of process and intentional infliction of emotional distress. CNN said the lawyer reports each of the 300 workers has similar claims, but declined to specify the amount of damages sought.
Where is the Georgia Hyundai plant?
The plant is located in Ellabell about 27 miles west of Savannah and about 32 miles southwest of Statesboro.
Miguel Legoas is a Deep South Connect Team Reporter for USA Today. Find him on Instagram @miguelegoas and email at mlegoas@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on Savannah Morning News: More than 300 Hyundai plant workers challenging government over 2025 raid
