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Federal and immigration authorities conducted an enforcement operation action at a Hyundai facility in Georgia on Thursday in connection with an investigation into “unlawful employment practices and other serious federal crimes,” according to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement spokesperson.
ICE agents alongside Homeland Security Investigations and other federal agencies were involved in conducting the operation.
Steven Schrank, special agent in charge of Homeland Security Investigations in Georgia, told reporters on Thursday afternoon that the alleged unlawful practices are taking place at the “multi-hundred acre” construction site where both Hyundai and LG Energy Solution are jointly building a new battery plant next to their manufacturing facility for electric vehicles.
The facility in the town of Ellabell, about 28 miles west of the city of Savannah, employs about 1,400 people. It is considered one of Georgia’s largest and most high-profile manufacturing sites, according to The Associated Press.
NBC News verified a video posted on social media showing HSI agents inside the construction site at Hyundai’s facility in Ellabell. One of the agents can be heard telling workers they had a search warrant for the entire site and asked that construction “be ceased immediately.”
A worker who was there but whose name is being withheld told NBC News that agents came late Thursday morning and asked everyone on the premises whether they were U.S. citizens.
Other videos on social media show agents lining workers up. In some instance, agents are seen asking workers questions and searching their bags.
In a statement to NBC News, Hyundai spokesperson Michael Stewart confirmed the presence of law enforcement at the LG Energy Solution and Hyundai battery joint venture construction site in Bryan County, where Ellabell is located.
“We are cooperating with law enforcement and are committed to abiding by all labor and immigration regulations,” Stewart said in the statement.
It remains unclear how many people have been taken into custody, but Schrank said, “We are making many arrests of undocumented individuals.”
NBC affiliate WSAV of Savannah reported that hundreds of undercover law enforcement vehicles and Humvees were reportedly seen at the scene. Large buses were also seen entering the site.
Mary Beth Kennedy, a spokesperson HL-GA Battery Co., LG Energy Solution and Hyundai’s joint venture, told WSAV in a statement that the company “is cooperating fully with the appropriate authorities regarding activity at our construction site. To assist their work, we have paused construction. We do not have further details at this time.”
Schrank added that the investigation is expected to continue beyond Thursday but did not provide a timeline.
The ICE spokesperson added: “This investigation is focused on ensuring accountability for those who violate the law and upholding the rule of law. Complex cases like this require strong collaboration and extensive investigative efforts.”
Nicole Acevedo is a national reporter for NBC News and NBC Latino.
Laura Strickler is the senior investigative producer on the national security team where she produces television stories and writes for NBCNews.com.
Colin Sheeley is a senior reporter for NBC News’ Social Newsgathering team based in New York.
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