The South Korean government has completed discussions with the U.S. regarding the release of its citizens who were detained during a significant immigration enforcement operation at a Hyundai facility in Georgia. The chief of staff for South Korea’s president indicated that a chartered plane would be arranged to repatriate the detainees once administrative procedures are finalized. Kang Hoon-sik mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance the visa process to mitigate future occurrences of this nature.
U.S. officials detained a total of 475 individuals, over 300 of whom were South Korean nationals, on the grounds that they were working illegally at the battery plant, which is one of the largest foreign investment projects in Georgia. The White House has defended the enforcement action, with President Donald Trump asserting that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was fulfilling its duty in addressing illegal work status. ICE released video footage showing detained workers, some identified as employees of Hyundai and LG CNS.
ICE stated that individuals on short-term or recreational visas are not authorized to work in the United States and emphasized that the raid aimed to protect American jobs. Homeland Security Investigations noted that the operation was intended to hold individuals accountable for exploiting the immigration system.
The timing of the raid is notable as South Korea and the U.S. are engaged in sensitive trade discussions, raising concerns in Seoul. South Korea has made significant commitments, amounting to tens of billions of dollars, towards U.S. manufacturing investments amidst ongoing tariff negotiations. LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant alongside Hyundai, confirmed that many detained employees were reportedly on business trips and are now suspending most business travel to the U.S.
The factory is involved in electric vehicle production and has been described by Georgia officials as the largest economic development project in the state’s history, employing approximately 1,200 workers. Currently, the detained workers are being held at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, with LG Energy Solution reporting that 47 of its employees and around 250 contractor workers were among those arrested.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj07jzgve45o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss