Atlanta ATF Branch Releases On-Site Photos on X
Joint Operation at Hyundai Motor Plant Leads to Mass Arrests of Undocumented Immigrants
Georgia Authorities Affirm Support for Immigration Law Enforcement
Photo released on June 5th on the X account of the Atlanta branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). Armed U.S. government agency agents are arresting individuals suspected of being undocumented immigrants inside the Hyundai Motor production facility in Savannah, Georgia. ATF X account
On September 4 (local time), U.S. government agencies including Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) announced that they had raided the Hyundai Motor production facility in Savannah, Georgia, and arrested as many as 450 undocumented immigrants.
The Atlanta branch of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) stated in the early morning of September 5 on its social media platform X (formerly Twitter) account, "In cooperation with multiple agencies, we conducted a large-scale immigration enforcement operation at the Hyundai Motor battery plant and arrested approximately 450 undocumented immigrants."
According to the Atlanta branch, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the Georgia State Patrol (GSP) also participated in the operation that day.
Previously, local media reported that this facility is a joint production plant between battery manufacturer LG Energy Solution and Hyundai Motor, and that U.S. immigration authorities arrested individuals of Korean nationality and others during the operation.
According to the Savannah Morning News (SMN), HSI agent Schrank said at a press conference that day, "Today, HSI agents and multiple agencies conducted a legally authorized enforcement operation at the construction site spanning hundreds of acres behind me," adding, "We are currently investigating illegal employment practices."
He reiterated, "A large number of undocumented individuals are being arrested," and added that more specific details would be announced at a press conference scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on September 5 at the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia in Savannah.
The state government of Georgia also appears to have been aware of the operation in advance. In a statement, a spokesperson for Georgia Governor Brian Kemp said, "The Department of Public Safety provided necessary support for this operation in cooperation with ICE," and made it clear that the state supports compliance with all immigration laws in Georgia.
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