Le autorità dell'immigrazione hanno preso di assalto la fabbrica di batterie Hyundai Metaplant, arrestando 475 dipendenti
In un'inaspettata piega degli eventi, un cantiere per la HL-GA Battery Company, una joint venture tra Hyundai e LG Energy Solution, è stato al centro di un'importante operazione di enforcement dell'immigrazione il 5 settembre. Questa operazione, condotta dall'Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), dall'ICE (US Immigration and Customs Enforcement), dal Dipartimento del Lavoro degli Stati Uniti e dall'FBI, ha portato all'arresto di 475 lavoratori, principalmente di origine coreana, che ora sono trattenuti nel Folkston ICE Processing Center in Georgia.
Gli arresti hanno esposto una crescente contraddizione tra la spinta a localizzare la produzione di veicoli elettrici (EV) negli Stati Uniti e le strutture del workforce globale spesso necessarie per costruire e scalare queste strutture. La natura altamente specializzata della produzione di batterie significa che molti OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) si affidano inizialmente a ingegneri, tecnici e installatori stranieri per impostare le linee di produzione, commissionare gli strumenti e formare i team USA.
Despite these challenges, OEMs continue to invest heavily in localised EV production capacity across states like Georgia. Hyundai, SK On, and Rivian are among the companies building or expanding operations in the region. Hyundai, in particular, has made significant investments. The Metaplant complex, where the HL-GA Battery Company is being built, represents an investment of $5.54 billion by Hyundai and its suppliers, with a further $6 billion earmarked for localising parts and strengthening logistics.
The expansion will create 25,000 direct jobs. Hyundai also plans to increase funding by $5 billion to accelerate growth, which includes expanding vehicle production to an annual capacity of 500,000. Hyundai's Korean battery partner at the Ellabell plant, LG Energy, has temporarily halted construction work at the complex.
The US immigration enforcement action is the largest single site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations across the country. It has raised questions about how OEMs can balance localisation mandates with visa compliance and enforcement risks. With construction halted and Hyundai temporarily suspending international travel for technical teams, there is growing uncertainty about the future of these projects.
However, Hyundai has reaffirmed its commitment to full compliance with laws and regulations in every market, including employment verification requirements and immigration laws. The company has clarified that no detainees were directly employed by Hyundai Motor, according to its statement. The safety and well-being of everyone working at Hyundai's sites is a top priority for the company.
The Metaplant America, a $21 billion investment by Hyundai, was officially opened in March this year. The complex houses the electric battery facility established by Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, scheduled to open in 2023. The facility is part of a joint venture between the two companies and represents an investment of $4.3 billion.
The investigation is ongoing, and further details about the specific companies employing the illegally present workers arrested in Georgia are yet to be disclosed. Some provisions related to the consumer tax credits for OEMs operating in North America under the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) have been repealed or revised, altering the compliance landscape for these companies.
This incident underscores the complexities involved in localising EV manufacturing and the need for OEMs to navigate the intricate landscape of immigration laws and compliance requirements.
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