Seoul has stated that approximately 300 South Korean citizens were involved in an immigration raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia.
South Korea has formally protested after U.S. immigration officials detained hundreds of workers at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site in Georgia.
The raid occurred on Thursday at the construction site of a battery plant in Bryan County, near Savannah. This plant is a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, employing around 1,200 individuals. U.S. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) stated that the operation is part of an investigation into potential illegal employment practices.
The Atlanta office of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives reported that 450 “unlawful aliens” were taken into custody.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun stated that approximately 300 of those detained were South Korean citizens, including employees of partner companies visiting for business purposes. Many reportedly entered the U.S. using short-term business visas or the Visa Waiver Program, but immigration authorities determined that their activities on-site did not align with the purpose of their stay.
“The economic activities of our investment firms and the rights of our citizens must not be unfairly infringed upon during US law enforcement operations,” the Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Friday, according to local media. “We have also conveyed our concerns and regret through the US Embassy in Seoul, urging them to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of our citizens are fully protected.”
The ministry added that President Lee Jae-myung had ordered “an all-out response” to resolve the issue, with Seoul considering “trips to the US by high-level officials.”
U.S. President Donald Trump has prioritized cracking down on illegal immigration, pledging to execute the largest deportation of criminal aliens in the nation’s history.