The South Korean government has announced that more than 300 South Korean workers detained during a significant immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will soon be released and brought back to their home country. This development comes after successful negotiations between South Korea and the United States regarding the workers' release, as confirmed by Kang Hoon-sik, chief of staff for President Lee Jae Myung.
Kang stated that South Korea is preparing to send a charter plane to transport the detained workers back home as soon as the remaining administrative procedures are completed. The situation has garnered considerable attention, particularly given its implications for South Korea-U.S. relations and the economic activities of South Korean companies operating in the United States.
Reports indicate that U.S. immigration authorities detained a total of 475 individuals during the operation, with the majority being South Korean nationals. This raid took place at Hyundai’s expansive manufacturing site in Georgia, which is currently under construction and is set to produce electric vehicles (EVs) in collaboration with LG Energy Solution. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is scheduled to depart for the U.S. on Monday for discussions related to the release of the workers.
This large-scale immigration raid is particularly notable as it is part of a series of workplace raids tied to the Trump administration's mass deportation agenda. The scale of this operation, coupled with the fact that the targeted site is recognized as Georgia’s largest economic development project, has raised eyebrows both domestically and internationally. The raid has sparked surprise and concern in South Korea, given the country's status as a vital U.S. ally.
Earlier this year, South Korea agreed to purchase $100 billion in U.S. energy and pledged a $350 billion investment in the United States, in exchange for the U.S. reducing tariff rates. This immigration raid comes shortly after U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung held their inaugural meeting in Washington, where President Lee emphasized the importance of protecting the rights of South Korean nationals and the economic interests of South Korean businesses during U.S. law enforcement actions.
In light of the raid, South Korea's Foreign Ministry has expressed its concern and regret over the incident, dispatching diplomats to the site to assess the situation. Video footage released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) depicted federal agents directing workers to line up outside the facility, with some detainees being subjected to searches and restraints.
Most of the detained individuals were transferred to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia, near the Florida state line, but none have been formally charged with any crimes as of now. According to Steven Schrank, the lead Georgia agent of Homeland Security Investigations, the ongoing investigation has revealed that some detained workers had crossed the U.S. border illegally, while others had entered legally but had expired visas or were on visa waivers that prohibited employment.
In response to this incident, Kang has indicated that South Korea will advocate for a review and improvement of visa systems for individuals traveling to the U.S. for business purposes related to investment projects. This move aims to enhance the protection of South Korean nationals and facilitate smoother operations for companies conducting business in the United States.
