S. Korea protests against US ICE deportation of its citizens in US
(MENAFN) South Korea has formally protested after US immigration authorities detained hundreds of workers at Hyundai’s electric vehicle manufacturing site in Georgia.
The operation occurred on Thursday at the construction site of a battery plant in Bryan County near Savannah, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution that employs roughly 1,200 people. US Homeland Security Investigations stated the raid was part of an inquiry into unlawful 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 said approximately 300 of those detained were South Korean citizens, including employees of partner companies visiting on business trips. Many had entered the US on short-term business visas or through the Visa Waiver Program, but authorities determined their activities at the site did not align with the purpose of their visas.
“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 stated on Friday. “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 ordered “an all-out response” to resolve the matter, with Seoul considering “trips to the US by high-level officials.”
US President Donald Trump has prioritized illegal immigration during his administration, pledging to conduct the largest deportation of criminal aliens in the country’s history.
The operation occurred on Thursday at the construction site of a battery plant in Bryan County near Savannah, a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution that employs roughly 1,200 people. US Homeland Security Investigations stated the raid was part of an inquiry into unlawful 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 said approximately 300 of those detained were South Korean citizens, including employees of partner companies visiting on business trips. Many had entered the US on short-term business visas or through the Visa Waiver Program, but authorities determined their activities at the site did not align with the purpose of their visas.
“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 stated on Friday. “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 ordered “an all-out response” to resolve the matter, with Seoul considering “trips to the US by high-level officials.”
US President Donald Trump has prioritized illegal immigration during his administration, pledging to conduct the largest deportation of criminal aliens in the country’s history.
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