South Korea to Bring Home Workers Detained in U.S. ICE Raid
(MENAFN) South Korean workers detained last week during a US immigration raid are expected to return home voluntarily, avoiding deportation, after Seoul coordinated with Washington to arrange a chartered flight, according to local media reports on Monday.
Authorities arrested 475 individuals in Thursday’s sweep at a Georgia electric vehicle battery plant—a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. The operation is part of a criminal probe into suspected illegal employment practices, US officials said.
Of those detained, over 300 are South Korean nationals.
South Korea’s presidential office confirmed on Sunday that a chartered plane will be dispatched to the US to repatriate the workers, following diplomatic consultations with Washington aimed at resolving the issue.
According to media, a diplomatic source revealed that Seoul has been negotiating for the workers to return under voluntary departure terms, since deportation could restrict their future US travel.
US immigration authorities reportedly offered two choices: accept deportation with a five-year ban on reentry, or remain in detention to face trial.
This announcement came just hours before South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s scheduled departure to the US. He is expected to meet with Trump administration officials to seek their assistance in securing the detainees’ release and to discuss procedural improvements.
Cho will also push for measures to prevent similar incidents and emphasize the importance of refining the visa system for South Korean workers traveling to the US.
The chartered flight is planned to depart for the US on Wednesday.
State officials have praised the Georgia facility as a significant investment, with Governor Brian Kemp calling it the biggest economic development project in the state's history when it was announced in 2022.
Although still under construction and slated to open fully next year, the plant’s timeline remains uncertain following the raid.
Authorities arrested 475 individuals in Thursday’s sweep at a Georgia electric vehicle battery plant—a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution. The operation is part of a criminal probe into suspected illegal employment practices, US officials said.
Of those detained, over 300 are South Korean nationals.
South Korea’s presidential office confirmed on Sunday that a chartered plane will be dispatched to the US to repatriate the workers, following diplomatic consultations with Washington aimed at resolving the issue.
According to media, a diplomatic source revealed that Seoul has been negotiating for the workers to return under voluntary departure terms, since deportation could restrict their future US travel.
US immigration authorities reportedly offered two choices: accept deportation with a five-year ban on reentry, or remain in detention to face trial.
This announcement came just hours before South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun’s scheduled departure to the US. He is expected to meet with Trump administration officials to seek their assistance in securing the detainees’ release and to discuss procedural improvements.
Cho will also push for measures to prevent similar incidents and emphasize the importance of refining the visa system for South Korean workers traveling to the US.
The chartered flight is planned to depart for the US on Wednesday.
State officials have praised the Georgia facility as a significant investment, with Governor Brian Kemp calling it the biggest economic development project in the state's history when it was announced in 2022.
Although still under construction and slated to open fully next year, the plant’s timeline remains uncertain following the raid.
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