Washington: More than 310 South Korean workers detained during a U.S. immigration operation have been released, concluding a diplomatic effort by Seoul to address the incident. The workers were detained following a raid at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site in Georgia, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the workers, along with 14 other foreign nationals, were released from a detention center in Folkston, Georgia. They are expected to return to South Korea via a chartered Korean Air flight, opting for "voluntary departure" instead of deportation. The release was initially delayed as U.S. President Donald Trump encouraged the workers to remain in the U.S., citing the importance of Korean companies to the U.S. economy.
The operation, conducted by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), resulted in the arrest of 475 individuals at the site, marking the largest single-site enforcement action by Homeland Security Investigations. The detained workers were found working illegally, many on B-1 temporary visitor visas or under a visa waiver program.
The South Korean government, led by Consul General Cho Ki-joong and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, provided consular assistance and negotiated for the workers' release. The incident has raised concerns in South Korea about the reliability of the U.S. as a business partner, especially after video footage of the detained workers sparked outrage.
Former acting U.S. ambassador to South Korea, Rob Rapson, expressed concerns about the impact on U.S. credibility as a reliable partner. The incident occurred shortly after a summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and President Trump, where South Korea committed to significant investments in the U.S.
The situation has highlighted ongoing visa challenges for Korean businesses deploying skilled workers to the U.S. During discussions with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Foreign Minister Cho proposed creating a new visa category for Korean workers, a proposal Rubio agreed to review.
The detention has prompted reflection from the South Korean government on its alliance with the U.S., with President Lee Jae Myung acknowledging the situation's significance during a recent Cabinet meeting. Critics have pointed out the contradiction in Trump's policies that both attract foreign investments and enforce strict immigration controls, creating uncertainty for foreign workers.
President Trump has indicated a willingness to explore legal avenues to facilitate the entry of skilled foreign workers necessary for investment projects in the U.S.