South Korean Workers Detained in Georgia Immigration Raid Return Home
South Korean Workers Detained in Georgia Immigration Raid Return Home
More than 300 South Korean workers, along with Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian nationals, who were detained last week during an immigration raid at a battery factory in Georgia, have departed Atlanta for South Korea. The flight, carrying 316 Koreans, 10 Chinese, three Japanese, and one Indonesian national, left Atlanta on Thursday and is expected to arrive in South Korea on Friday afternoon.
The workers were among approximately 475 individuals apprehended during a raid at a battery factory under construction on the campus of Hyundai’s auto plant west of Savannah. They had been held at an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia.
South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung, speaking on Thursday, urged improvements to the U.S. visa system, cautioning that Korean companies might hesitate on future U.S. investments until changes are made. President Lee also revealed discussions with U.S. officials regarding the use of handcuffs during the bus transfer and whether the departure would be classified as ‘voluntary’ or ‘deportation’.
The process was reportedly halted and administrative procedures changed following a directive from then-President Trump, who instructed that detainees should be allowed to return home freely. Ultimately, U.S. officials offered detainees a choice, with one South Korean national opting to remain in the U.S. due to family ties.
This raid stood out for its scale and the target being a significant manufacturing site, touted as Georgia’s largest economic development project. Georgia Governor Brian Kemp’s office emphasized the state’s long-standing relationship with South Korea and partners like Hyundai, reiterating a commitment to mutual partnerships despite the incident.
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