Sun Sep 07 12:41:48 UTC 2025: ## South Korean Workers Detained in Georgia Immigration Raid to Be Released and Flown Home
**Washington D.C. -** Over 300 South Korean workers detained in a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle plant in Georgia are set to be released and repatriated, according to officials from both South Korea and the United States. The announcement follows negotiations between the two nations after a controversial raid on Thursday, where U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained 475 people, most of whom were South Korean nationals.
South Korean presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik confirmed the agreement Sunday, stating a charter plane will be dispatched to bring the workers home once administrative procedures are finalized. The raid, which targeted the Hyundai manufacturing site in Georgia where the Korean automaker produces electric vehicles, is part of a larger investigation into labor practices at the facility, according to ICE.
Videos released by ICE showed agents surrounding the site and directing workers to line up outside. Some detainees were reportedly frisked, shackled, and taken to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia. While none have been charged with any crimes, the investigation remains ongoing, according to Homeland Security Investigations.
The incident has sparked significant concern and regret from the South Korean government, a close ally of the U.S. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that President Lee Jae-myung instructed officials to swiftly resolve the matter, emphasizing the protection of South Korean citizens’ rights and the business interests of South Korean companies investing in the U.S.
The opposition People Power Party (PPP) in South Korea has reacted strongly, warning that the detentions could pose a serious risk to the country. They have criticized President Lee’s “pragmatic diplomacy” towards the U.S., suggesting it failed to safeguard the safety of citizens and the competitiveness of South Korean businesses, despite promises of significant investments.
The raid highlights the potential impact of President Trump’s intensified immigration enforcement policies on foreign investment. The Hyundai-LG complex represents the largest foreign investment in Georgia, and the incident raises questions about the balance between immigration enforcement and economic development. The Hyundai plant, which employs around 1,200 people, began manufacturing electric vehicles a year ago and has partnered with LG Energy Solution to build an adjacent battery plant slated to open next year. Agents focused their operation on the plant that is still under construction.
This latest action by ICE comes as the agency has been bolstered by record funding and increased latitude to conduct raids as part of a crackdown on immigrants and refugees. Data suggests a rise in the detainment of non-criminals under the current administration, even as President Trump maintains his focus on deporting “the worst of the worst” criminals.
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