ELLABELL, Ga. (WTOC) – Federal and state law enforcement carried out a major operation Thursday at the HL-GA Battery construction site on the Hyundai megasite in Bryan County.
Homeland Security Investigations, ICE, the FBI, the DEA, and other agencies executed a judicially authorized search warrant as part of an investigation into unlawful employment practices.
Buses filled with people were seen leaving the site, but officials have not confirmed how many individuals were arrested.
HSI agents told WTOC they are aware of reports circulating online that share numbers of arrests. However, HSI clarified that these figures are not official and are incorrect.
In response, HL-GA Battery announced it has paused construction and is cooperating fully with authorities.
The Joint Development Authority also confirmed communication with company management, stating that the firm is cooperating with investigators.
Georgia State Patrol supported the operation by securing the perimeter and providing aviation support.
State leaders react
Representative Jesse Petrea of Georgia’s 166th District told WTOC Thursday that “It’s very disheartening, if indeed there’s a large presence of people illegally in this country.”
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. 100%.
When asked if he thinks Hyundai needs to face some sort of accountability from the State of Georgia, Representative 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.”
HSI and ICE Press Briefing
You can watch the full video below:
Participating agency statements
The HL-GA Battery Company has provided an official statement after Thursday’s ICE operation at its location on the Hyundai megasite.
HL-GA Battery 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.
Additionally, the Joint Development Authority released the following statement:
“We have been made aware that there is a law enforcement presence at the battery plant that is under construction. We are communicating with management and know they are fully cooperating with law enforcement.”
A spokesperson for Georgia State Patrol has provided a statement about Thursday’s ICE operation at the Hyundai megasite.
The Georgia Department of Public Safety assisted HSI with the service of a criminal search warrant in an operation at the Hyundai Metaplant, battery plant construction site in Bryan County. Our members are serving in a support function for the perimeter and aviation assets.
Editor’s Note: It is important to clarify that Thursday’s ICE presence was at the Hyundai megasite HL-GA Battery, not the Metaplant as mentioned in the quote above.
Witness accounts of ICE and HSI agents
WTOC has obtained footage of inside and outside the Hyundai megasite as ICE agents and law enforcement direct employees.
You can watch that video below:
WTOC Investigates Coverage of Hyundai Megasite issues
Sources inside the Hyundai plant have told WTOC that ICE came in with multiple Humvees and that cars were being searched.
WTOC has also been told that there was panic at the site, with people running away, hopping fences, and trying to escape via rooftops.
Our WTOC Investigates team has been following this since last December, previously covering the Hyundai megasite’s alleged use of undocumented immigrants (who some workers say have been exploited due to their legal status), safety issues during the plant’s construction, the lack of local labor companies involved, and a federal lawsuit filed against the Hyundai plant contractor.
Kevin Souza, who worked construction at the plant, blew the whistle on the safety of the Hyundai megasite, saying undocumented workers were working in unsafe conditions.
Since we first spoke with Kevin, multiple people have died at the construction site.
Souza met with WTOC at the plant just moments ago, saying he’s happy something is finally being done.
“It’s not just about the workers that are here, it’s also about the way the workers are treated and the companies that are in there,” Souza says. “No one in America should be treated like that, or have to work in these kind of conditions.”
[INITIAL STORY] There is currently a large law enforcement presence in Ellabell at the Hyundai megasite.
WTOC has confirmed with ICE that they are conducting “work site enforcement” at the construction site for the battery plant on the Hyundai megasite.
The HL-GA Battery company is “fully cooperating” with law enforcement, per a spokesperson.
Currently, law enforcement officials are not letting anyone into the plant.
Law enforcement outside Hyundai megasite(WTOC)
Locals are advised to avoid the area at this time.
There is also at least one helicopter circling the plant.
WTOC has been contacted by a viewer and told that ICE is also at Hendrix Park in Ellabell, but this has not yet been confirmed.
WTOC will update this article as more information becomes available.
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