Atlanta: A significant raid by U.S. immigration authorities at a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia led to the detention of more than 300 South Korean workers. The operation, conducted by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), took place on September 4, 2025, resulting in the detention of 475 individuals, many of whom were South Korean nationals.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the day following the raid, HSI confirmed the detentions, stating that most of those detained were South Koreans, with an estimated 300 workers identified as South Korean nationals. In response, South Korea's Foreign Minister Cho Hyun confirmed the number of South Korean detainees and President Lee Jae Myung called for comprehensive efforts to address the situation. The South Korean government initiated consular meetings with the detainees to assist in their release.
On September 7, 2025, negotiations for the release of the detainees concluded, according to Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik. He noted that a chartered plane would be dispatched to the United States once administrative procedures were finalized. Despite the tensions, U.S. President Donald Trump assured that the incident would not affect the relationship between the United States and South Korea.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced on September 8, 2025, that the detained Korean nationals would be deported, indicating that some had been involved in criminal activities. On the same day, Foreign Minister Cho arrived in Washington to finalize plans for the repatriation of the detained workers.
President Lee expressed a sense of responsibility during a Cabinet meeting on September 9, 2025, regarding the detention of the South Korean workers. Although the release was planned for the following day, with more than 300 workers scheduled to fly back to South Korea on a chartered flight, the release was unexpectedly delayed.
Finally, on September 11, 2025, President Lee commented that the ICE raid could cause Korean companies to reconsider direct investments in the United States. That day, 316 Korean nationals were released from the detention center in Folkston, Georgia, marking the end of a week-long ordeal.