US immigration raid: 300 workers detained in massive Georgia Hyundai plant raid to return to South Korea
Share this @internewscast.com

SEOUL, South Korea — Over 300 South Korean employees who were held after a significant immigration operation at a Hyundai facility in Georgia are set to be released and returned to South Korea, the government announced on Sunday.

Kang Hoon-sik, the head aide to President Lee Jae Myung, declared that discussions between South Korea and the U.S. regarding the workers’ release have concluded. South Korea plans to dispatch a chartered aircraft to retrieve the workers once all necessary administrative procedures are finalized.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is to leave for the U.S. on Monday for talks related to the workers’ releases, South Korean media reported.

U.S. immigration officials reported that on Friday, they apprehended 475 individuals, primarily South Koreans, during a large-scale federal raid at Hyundai’s extensive production site in Georgia, where the company manufactures electric cars. The operation centered on a facility still under construction, in collaboration with LG Energy Solution, to produce batteries for electric vehicles.

Cho said that more than 300 South Koreans were among the detained.

This raid is the most recent in a series of workplace operations linked to the Trump administration’s expansive deportation policy. However, the raid stood out for its magnitude and the importance of the site, which has been labeled Georgia’s largest economic development initiative.

The event surprised many in South Korea, an important U.S. ally, especially since the nation agreed to a substantial $100 billion energy purchase from the U.S. and a $350 billion investment in exchange for reduced tariffs. Just two weeks prior, President Donald Trump and President Lee had met in Washington.

President Lee emphasized that the rights of South Korean citizens and the economic pursuits of Korean firms should not be unfairly compromised during U.S. legal actions. Additionally, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry expressed “concern and regret” about the incident and dispatched diplomats to the location.

Video released by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Saturday showed a caravan of vehicles driving up to the site and then federal agents directing workers to line up outside. Some detainees were ordered to put their hands up against a bus as they were frisked and then shackled around their hands, ankles and waist.

Most of the people detained were taken to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia, near the Florida state line. None has been charged with any crimes yet, Steven Schrank, the lead Georgia agent of Homeland Security Investigations, said during a news conference Friday, adding that the investigation was ongoing.

He said that some of the detained workers had illegally crossed the U.S. border, while others had entered the country legally but had expired visas or had entered on a visa waiver that prohibited them from working.

Kang, the South Korean presidential chief of staff, said that South Korea will push to review and improve visa systems for those traveling to the U.S. on business trips for investment projects.

The video in the player above is from a previous report.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Rescue team members in yellow shirts standing in a circle and talking

Heroic Father Tragically Loses Life While Rescuing Daughter from Giant Wave at California Beach

A tragic incident unfolded at a beach in Northern California when a…
Ukrainian major urges US to send Tomahawks as clashes with Russian forces intensify

Ukrainian Major Calls for U.S. Tomahawk Missiles Amid Escalating Clashes with Russian Forces

FIRST ON FOX: As the fierce battles between Russian and Ukrainian forces…
Trump says US may have discussions with Venezuela's Maduro as aircraft carrier arrives in Caribbean

US Eyes Potential Talks with Venezuela’s Maduro Amid Strategic Aircraft Carrier Deployment in Caribbean

On Sunday, President Donald Trump hinted at the possibility of dialogue with…
Immigrant student enrollment is dwindling at schools across the US

US Schools See Decline in Immigrant Student Enrollment

Across the United States, an alarming trend is emerging: schools from coast…
FAA lifts order slashing flights, allowing commercial airlines to resume their regular schedules

FAA Ends Flight Restrictions: Commercial Airlines Set to Return to Normal Schedules

The Federal Aviation Administration announced on Sunday its decision to lift all…
ICE arrests illegal-immigrant trucker from Uzbekistan over alleged terror ties

Breaking News: Uzbek Trucker with Alleged Terror Links Detained by ICE

A man classified as a criminal illegal immigrant, who had been permitted…
Vikings-Bears game today: Caleb Williams, Chicago Bears secure another 4th quarter comeback in win over Minnesota Vikings

Caleb Williams Leads Chicago Bears to Thrilling 4th Quarter Comeback Victory Against Minnesota Vikings

MINNEAPOLIS — Caleb Williams and the Chicago Bears pulled off another thrilling…
Texas Man Charged for Antisemitic Death Threats

Texas Man Arrested for Vicious Antisemitic Threats: A Deep Dive into the Rising Hate Crime Epidemic

A Texas man identified as Nicholas Ray has been charged in Florida…
Chicago Bears CB Nahshon Wright honors 'Last Chance U' Laney College coach John Beam with interception: 'He was behind me today'

Chicago Bears’ Nahshon Wright Credits ‘Last Chance U’ Coach John Beam for Game-Changing Interception Against [Opponent]

MINNEAPOLIS — On Sunday, with a heavy heart after the passing of…
Human trafficking soars in blue city as gangs, highways fuel ‘perfect storm’ of child exploitation: experts

Alarming Surge in Child Trafficking: Experts Warn of Gangs and Highways Creating Crisis in Urban Areas

Alarm bells are ringing as human trafficking incidents surge dramatically across one…
Mamdani backs Palestinian activist in legislative race where battle with ‘Israeli lobby’ a key issue

Mamdani Supports Palestinian Advocate in Pivotal Legislative Race Amid Israeli Lobby Debate

Following his recent victory in the mayoral election, democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani…
JSO: Ongoing investigation after body found underneath bridge on Westside

Jacksonville Authorities Launch Investigation After Body Discovered Beneath Westside Bridge

Authorities have stated that while they continue to investigate the case, they…