Nearly 500 detained in the US during immigration operation in Huyndai

Homeland Security Investigations Special Agent in Charge Steven Schrank said at a press conference today that most of the people arrested were from South Korea.

"This operation reinforces our commitment to jobs for Georgians and Americans," the agent said.

South Korean Foreign Ministry spokesman Lee Jaewoong described the number of South Koreans detained as "large," though he did not provide an exact figure.

South Korea also expressed "concern and regret" over the US immigration operation at the factory with about 1,200 workers.

The Department of Homeland Security said in a statement that agents executed a search warrant "as part of an ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of illegal employment practices and other serious federal crimes."

Thursday's operation targeted one of Georgia's largest and most important factories, touted by the governor and other officials as the largest economic development project in the state's history.

The 12,000-square-foot plant was hailed by Georgia Governor Brian P. Kemp as the largest economic development project in the state's history.

Hyundai Motor Group, South Korea's largest automaker, began manufacturing electric vehicles a year ago at its $7.6 billion (about €6.8 billion) factory.

President Donald Trump's administration has conducted sweeping operations by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement as part of a mass deportation agenda.

Immigration agents carried out raids (unexpected police operations) on farms, construction sites, restaurants and auto repair shops.

The Pew Research Center, citing preliminary Census Bureau data, says the U.S. workforce lost more than 1.2 million immigrants from January to July.

The numbers include people who are in the country illegally as well as legal residents.