ICE Raids Hyundai–LG Plant: Abuse of B Visitor Visas Becomes New Enforcement Target

On September 4, 2025, the Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) carried out a raid at the Hyundai–LG Energy Solution battery plant under construction in Newnan, Georgia, detaining approximately 475 workers. Among them, about 370 were foreign nationals holding B visitor visas but working illegally, around 100 were identified as undocumented immigrants without lawful status, and a small number held valid status but were suspected of unauthorized employment. The operation halted construction and marked one of the largest single-site enforcement actions in ICE’s history.

This incident highlights the heightened rigor of U.S. immigration enforcement: the focus has expanded from traditional undocumented populations to include the misuse of lawful status, particularly B visitor visas. Originally limited to short-term business or tourism, B visas have in practice been widely used in the labor market, making them a new priority target for ICE.

If you or your company have questions about employment compliance, visa risk prevention, or responding to immigration enforcement, please contact our Partner, Anna Sun, at contact@consultils.com.

ICE Enforcement KPIs Reach Record Highs

This case is not an isolated incident but rather a reflection of the Trump administration’s broader tightening of immigration enforcement. As of August 2025, ICE’s daily arrests have risen to approximately 1,000, the detained population is nearing 60,000, and daily deportations have exceeded 1,300. ICE has arrested more than 352,000 undocumented immigrants and deported over 324,000, with the total number of removals in President Trump’s first year projected to surpass 400,000—a recent record high. At the same time, the Department of Homeland Security reported that since January 2025, the total number of undocumented immigrants in the United States has decreased by about 1.6 million.

(Source: The New York Times)

Case Developments

The South Korean government has urgently dispatched its Foreign Minister to the United States to negotiate the disposition of the detained workers and to push for the release of some individuals. This move underscores that the case has escalated into a sensitive issue in bilateral relations.

Legal Proceedings:

• In this case, the most closely watched legal issue is the handling of B visitor visa holders. Although they formally entered the country with lawful status, by engaging in unauthorized employment they may be deemed in violation of their visa conditions, which would immediately render their visas invalid and expose them to revocation, deportation, and multi-year bars on reentry into the United States.

  
  

• At the same time, whether the U.S. Department of Justice and Department of Labor will intervene to investigate possible systemic violations in corporate recruitment, outsourcing, and employment practices remains a key point to watch in the development of the case.

Corporate Liability:

• Once it is established that a company knowingly permitted or condoned the misuse of B visitor visas, in addition to immigration enforcement, it could also trigger heavy fines, labor compliance investigations, and potential criminal liability.

  
  

Risks for Individuals and Employers

The raid on the Hyundai battery plant sends a clear signal from U.S. enforcement agencies to all companies operating in the United States: employment compliance has entered a high-pressure environment, and even multinational giants are not immune.

For Individuals:

• Visa revocation and deportation: Once apprehended, individuals may be placed in removal proceedings, detained, and deported.

• Future entry bans: Violations may result in multi-year (typically 3–10 years) bars on reentry to the United States.

• Impact on immigration records: Misuse of a B visitor visa becomes a permanent negative record, making it extremely difficult to obtain future visas for work, study, or immigration.

• Criminal liability: If forged documents or false statements are used, individuals may face federal fraud charges.

• Employment and personal risks: Unauthorized work lacks labor protections, leaving individuals vulnerable to wage theft and potential exploitation.

For Employers:

• Civil and criminal liability: Knowingly hiring B visitor visa holders may lead to federal felony charges (harboring, conspiracy, document fraud), with sentences of up to 10–15 years in prison.

• Severe financial penalties: ICE and the Department of Labor may impose hefty fines on employers for each unauthorized worker, and may also seek recovery of back wages and damages.

• Regulatory investigations: Companies may face audits, compliance monitoring, and long-term oversight by DHS, DOJ, or the Department of Labor.

• Business disruption: Large-scale raids often disrupt operations, delay projects, and strain supply chains.

• Reputational damage: Public exposure of visa misuse can seriously undermine brand credibility, investor confidence, and diplomatic relations—particularly for multinational corporations.

  
  

Employer Compliance Recommendations

B visitor visas are only permitted for short-term business or tourism and must never be used for employment. Accordingly, companies must strengthen compliance at every level—from daily management to emergency response.

• Routine compliance: Strictly implement I-9 and E-Verify verification systems to ensure all employees have valid work authorization; clearly prohibit B visa holders from engaging in actual work.

• Policy development: Establish compliance review procedures for recruitment, assignments, and the supply chain; incorporate policies into employee handbooks and provide training for HR and project managers.

• Legal cooperation: Conduct regular reviews of employment risks, establish early-warning mechanisms for high-risk positions, and immediately involve legal counsel when dealing with individuals of questionable status.

• Emergency response: During an ICE site inspection, verify the search warrant, designate a company representative, secure private areas, contact legal counsel immediately, maintain a unified external statement, and train employees to exercise their right to remain silent.

The raid at the Hyundai battery plant demonstrates that misuse of B visitor visas has become a primary focus of U.S. immigration enforcement. In this high-pressure environment, any lapse in employment compliance can escalate into hefty fines, criminal liability, and business crises. Only by confronting visa compliance issues head-on and proactively strengthening identity verification and risk management can companies navigate the storm with stability.

Seminar Announcement

To help employers gain a deeper understanding of the latest immigration enforcement trends and employment compliance risks, ILS will co-host a seminar with Shiketong on September 23. At the event, the ILS legal team will draw on recent cases to highlight key compliance issues and practical strategies for businesses.

This seminar is especially open to restaurant owners and logistics companies, focusing on how to manage employee relations and reduce compliance risks in today’s high-pressure enforcement environment.

Please click the link below to complete the registration.

If you or your company have questions about employment compliance, visa risk prevention, or responding to immigration enforcement, please contact our Partner, Anna Sun, at contact@consultils.com.

Disclaimer: The materials provided on this website are for general informational purposes only and do not, and are not intended to, constitute legal advice. You should not act or refrain from acting based on any information provided here. Please consult with your own legal counsel regarding your specific situation and legal questions.

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As Partner and Head of Immigration at ILS, Anna advises global employers on all aspects of U.S. business immigration. She helps companies recruit and retain executives and highly skilled professionals essential to their U.S. operations, with experience spanning industries from autonomous driving and biotech, to entertainment, logistics, and manufacturing.

Previously, Anna practiced at leading global law firms and served as in-house counsel and compliance manager in the telecommunications, finance, and gaming industries. This diverse background equips her with practical, cross-industry insights that inform strategic, business-focused immigration solutions.

Email: contact@consultils.com | Phone: 626-344-8949