ICE called the raid, detaining 14 foreigners, the largest single-site operation ever, finding Koreans on B-1 or waiver visas working illegally
Washington
More than 310 South Korean workers detained in a US immigration crackdown last week were released Thursday, ending a weeklong diplomatic push by Seoul. A total of 316 nationals left a detention centre in Georgia after being arrested at an EV battery plant construction site run by Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Bryan County.
They will fly home via Atlanta on a chartered Korean Air flight under “voluntary departure” status, rather than deportation. The release, delayed by a day, followed US President Donald Trump’s appeal for workers to stay, citing America’s need for cooperation with Korean companies in industries like shipbuilding, semiconductors, and automobiles.
The raid, which also detained 14 other foreigners, was described by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) as the largest single-site enforcement in Homeland Security Investigations’ history. Officials said the Koreans, many on B-1 or waiver visas, were working illegally.
The incident shocked Seoul, where images of shackled workers sparked outrage and raised concerns about US reliability as a business partner. South Korean officials, led by Consul General Cho Ki-joong and Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, worked tirelessly to secure the workers’ release.
Observers said the crackdown highlighted longstanding visa challenges for Korean firms. Cho proposed creating a new visa category for Korean workers during talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who promised to review it.
The arrests occurred just weeks after South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Trump held a summit, underscoring the strain between Washington’s tough immigration policies and its efforts to attract foreign investment.
