A recent immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia has led to significant delays in the factory’s opening, with the company indicating a postponement of at least two months. This raid, described as the largest in U.S. history, resulted in the detention of 475 individuals, about 300 of whom were South Korean nationals. Hyundai’s CEO, José Muñoz, cited the situation as leading to a minimum delay due to the need for these workers to return home.
South Korean officials noted that many of the detained workers were sent to the U.S. temporarily to assist with the factory’s establishment. U.S. immigration authorities stated that these workers were not authorized to work in the country, while the South Korean government emphasized that such worker exchanges are common practice for firms looking to set up overseas operations.
The detained workers were scheduled to return to South Korea on Friday, although their flight was postponed after a proposal was made for them to stay in the U.S. for additional training of American workers, a suggestion that most declined.
Hyundai also noted that none of those arrested were directly employed by the company. LG Energy Solution, which operates the battery plant alongside Hyundai, mentioned that many of its employees involved had various visas or were under a visa waiver program. The situation has sparked concerns in South Korea, with the president warning that if such arrangements become unfeasible, it may hinder future investment in the U.S.
This incident raises broader questions about the viability of the recent trade agreement between the U.S. and South Korea, where commitments for significant investments were made by major companies, including a $26 billion pledge from Hyundai. The plant, part of a larger project expected to create 8,500 jobs, was initially viewed as a major economic development initiative for Georgia.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cn5q7d72q5vo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss