Seoul: The governor of Georgia, Brian Kemp, is expected to arrive in Korea soon, amidst lingering tensions following a significant immigration raid in the U.S. state. The raid, which occurred on September 4, saw U.S. immigration officials detain over 300 Korean nationals at a plant under construction by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution (LGES) in Ellabell, Georgia.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the plant is part of a $7.6 billion investment, with LGES constructing a battery factory at the site during the time of the raid. The Korean nationals, many employed by LG and its suppliers, were detained for not having proper visas or overstaying their visas. They were in Georgia on B-1 (temporary business visitor) visas or through the visa-free Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which was suddenly deemed improper for work purposes by U.S. officials.
In response to the raid, officials from Korea and the U.S. collaborated to secure the release of the detained workers and address visa issues. An agreement was reached allowing Korean workers from investing companies to stay in the U.S. under B-1 visas or ESTA for equipment installation, servicing, and repair at their U.S. plants.
Governor Kemp has called for visa reform following the incident. His upcoming visit to Korea is seen as an opportunity to address the feelings of betrayal and resentment among Koreans. Despite the strong 72-year Korea-U.S. alliance and Korea's investments in the U.S., the raid, touted as "the largest single-site enforcement operation in U.S. history," shocked the Korean public and fueled anti-U.S. sentiment.
Korean families of the detained workers experienced significant distress, waiting anxiously for news of their release. Governor Kemp, familiar with Korea's economic investments in Georgia, faces challenges regarding visas, including the lack of an appropriate quota for Korean nationals under the H-1B visa.
There's also the issue of a hefty fee imposed by a Trump order on new H-1B visa applicants, intended to encourage hiring American workers. Kemp is expected to push for better visa policies for Korean workers staffing plants and creating jobs in Georgia.
More importantly, Kemp's visit provides an opportunity to apologize for the September raid and reassure Koreans about Georgia's business environment. His visit, planned before the raid, comes at a crucial time, offering a chance to demonstrate goodwill between Georgia and Korea.
"Georgia stands committed to strengthening cultural and business ties," the Georgia Department of Economic Development stated on social media. Kemp's efforts to ease tensions could inadvertently support President Donald Trump at the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju, where he plans to meet Korean President Lee Jae Myung and other leaders.