Washington: More than 310 South Korean workers detained in the United States' recent immigration crackdown were released early Thursday. This event marked the culmination of Seoul's weeklong diplomatic efforts to address the unprecedented mass detention of its nationals by the U.S., South Korea's sole treaty ally.
According to Yonhap News Agency, a total of 316 Korean nationals were released from a detention center in Folkston, Georgia. They were detained following a raid at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site operated by a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Bryan County, near Savannah. Alongside 14 other foreign nationals, the South Koreans are set to travel by bus to Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport, where they will board a chartered Korean Air flight back to South Korea. This return is framed as a "voluntary departure" rather than deportation.
The release of the workers was delayed by a day, as U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged them to remain in the country. His administration is seeking greater collaboration with South Korean companies to bolster various American industries. The raid, which resulted in the arrest of 475 individuals including the Koreans, was described by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials as the "largest single site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations."
ICE authorities stated that those detained were working illegally in the U.S., with many of the Korean workers holding B-1 temporary visitor visas or participating in a visa waiver program. Consular support from the Korean Embassy in Washington, led by Cho Ki-joong, and efforts by senior officials, including Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, were pivotal in securing the early release and safe repatriation of the workers.
The incident has raised concerns about the reliability of the U.S. as a business partner, particularly in South Korea, where images of detained workers in shackles sparked outrage. Former acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Rob Rapson, highlighted the potential damage to U.S. credibility as a trusted ally.
The raid occurred shortly after a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and President Trump, following a trade deal committing South Korea to invest $350 billion in the U.S. Some observers see a potential opportunity in the situation, as it highlights the challenges Korean businesses face in securing stable visa pathways for skilled workers. Discussions are underway to potentially create a new visa category for Korean workers, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio open to reviewing the proposal.
President Lee Jae Myung expressed his deep sense of responsibility for the detained workers during a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing the importance of the South Korea-U.S. alliance. Critics have pointed out the contradictory nature of Trump's policies, which promote foreign investment while enforcing strict immigration controls.
In response to criticism, Trump indicated a willingness to explore legal avenues for foreign companies investing in the U.S. to bring in skilled workers who can contribute to the American workforce.