South Korea Secures Release of Nationals from US Immigration Raid

Wed Oct 22 2025 23:11:54 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

In a significant diplomatic breakthrough, South Korea's government has finalized an agreement with the United States to secure the release of its citizens detained during a widespread immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia.

Amidst rising tensions from a massive ICE immigration raid at Hyundai's Georgia facility, South Korea's government has negotiated the release of detained nationals. In total, over 475 individuals were arrested, including more than 300 South Koreans reportedly working illegally at the site; South Korea is now working to reform its visa system in response. The incident has raised concerns about its potential impact on foreign investments and bilateral trade talks.

South Korea's government says it has reached an agreement with the US to release its citizens detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia.

The chief of staff of South Korea's president said a chartered plane would be sent to bring the detainees home if administration procedures were completed.

Kang Hoon-sik said the authorities were trying to improve the visa system to prevent such incidents in the future.

US officials detained 475 people - more than 300 of them South Korean nationals - who they said were found to be illegally working at the battery facility, one of the largest foreign investment projects in the state.

The White House has defended the operation, dismissing concerns that the raid could deter foreign investment.

They were illegal aliens and ICE [Immigration and Customs Enforcement] was just doing its job, President Donald Trump said following the raids on Friday.

Video released by ICE officials showed Asian workers shackled in front of a building, with some wearing yellow vests with names such as Hyundai and LG CNS.

People on short-term or recreational visas are not authorized to work in the US, ICE said, adding that the raid was necessary to protect American jobs.

South Korea, a close US ally, has pledged tens of billions of dollars in American manufacturing investment, partly to offset tariffs. The timing of the raid, as the two governments engage in sensitive trade talks, has raised concern in Seoul.

LG Energy Solution, which operates the plant with Hyundai, stated that many of the LG employees arrested were on business trips with various visas or under a visa waiver programme and has suspended most business trips to the US.

Despite the Biden administration's push for immigration reform, the raid's execution has shocked South Korean media, warning of a potential chilling effect on business activities in the US.

The factory, which produces electric vehicles, was hailed as the biggest economic development project in Georgia's history, employing around 1,200 people.

The arrested workers are being held at an ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia, with LG Energy Solution reporting 47 of its employees detained alongside approximately 250 workers from contractors.