Hyundai CEO distances company from ICE raid: ‘not our facility’

Hyundai CEO José Muñoz made it clear this week that the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid in Georgia did not involve Hyundai’s operations. Addressing reporters after the company’s Investor Day in New York, Muñoz stressed: “It’s not our facility. It’s LG’s battery plant.”

ICE raid sparks confusion

Earlier this month, ICE agents carried out a major raid at a Georgia battery factory, arresting hundreds of South Korean workers. Initial media reports and photos mistakenly tied the incident to Hyundai, showing images of Hyundai’s Metaplant facility.

But according to Muñoz, the factory in question is operated by LG Energy Solutions, and the workers detained were largely connected to LG suppliers — not Hyundai.

Hyundai CEO pushes back on media coverage

“When I go into the details, then I realize it’s not our facility. It’s LG’s battery plant,” Muñoz explained. He criticized the media for misrepresenting the situation, pointing out that many outlets used photos of Hyundai’s Metaplant rather than the actual LG site.

The CEO compared the mix-up to a mistaken identity between rival TV networks, saying: “It’s like working for CNN and being blamed for something on Fox News.”

Project delays add pressure

The clarification comes at a critical moment for Hyundai. Just days earlier, Muñoz acknowledged that construction of Hyundai’s Georgia Metaplant would be delayed by two to three months due to labor shortages.

While distancing Hyundai from the ICE raid, the CEO also sought to reassure investors that the company’s U.S. expansion plans remain on track, even as the EV industry faces workforce and supply chain challenges.

Why this matters

The September 4th raid has sparked headlines and raised questions about labor practices in the EV supply chain. By publicly stating that the raid did not target Hyundai, Muñoz is working to protect the automaker’s reputation as it pushes deeper into the U.S. electric vehicle market.