President Trump’s administration came under fire after a massive ICE raid at a Hyundai-LG EV battery plant in Georgia detained mostly South Korean workers, igniting a diplomatic row over visa policy, workers’ treatment, and foreign investment.
At a Glance
- U.S. agents arrested 475 people — a majority South Korean nationals — at a Georgia battery plant under construction in a joint venture between Hyundai and LG; it is now the largest single-site enforcement operation in Department of Homeland Security history.
- After diplomatic pressure, over 300 detained foreign workers (including 316 Koreans) were released and set to be repatriated via a charter flight; only one South Korean elected to stay and potentially train U.S. workers.
- Seoul is demanding changes in U.S. visa policies for investment projects, citing harm to business relations and reluctance by Korean firms to invest without clearer protections.
Raid Details and Legal Questions
On September 4, 2025, U.S. federal and state law enforcement, including ICE and Homeland Security Investigations, carried out a raid at the Hyundai-LG battery plant site in Ellabell, Georgia. Officials described it as the largest worksite enforcement action in recent history.
Authorities said the plant under construction was being staffed by workers who had overstayed visas, entered on visa waivers that prohibit employment, or crossed the border without authorization. Hyundai responded that the detained workers were not directly employed by the company but hired through contractors and subcontractors.
Images showing workers in safety vests being shackled at the wrists, ankles, and waist during the raid sparked outrage in South Korea and fueled criticism of U.S. enforcement tactics.
Watch now: South Korean nationals arrive at Atlanta Airport after detainment
Diplomatic and Economic Fallout
The raid collided with delicate economic diplomacy. South Korea had recently committed hundreds of billions of dollars in U.S. investment tied to trade concessions and tariff agreements. The arrests, along with images of detained workers, triggered protests in Seoul and raised questions about the reliability of the U.S. as a partner for foreign companies.
President Lee Jae Myung of South Korea warned that Korean firms may reconsider further U.S. expansion unless visa and labor policies are clarified. In Washington, the Trump administration defended the operation as a matter of law enforcement but offered limited concessions to preserve investment ties.
Negotiations produced a compromise: U.S. officials offered detained Koreans the option to remain temporarily to help train American workers. Seoul, however, chose to repatriate most of those arrested, while agreeing with Washington to create a bilateral working group to review visa categories for skilled temporary labor.
Implications and Open Questions
The incident exposed gaps in the U.S. visa system for foreign companies bringing specialized labor to large projects. South Korea is pressing for structural changes, not just apologies or short-term fixes. Without reforms, Korean officials warn that business risks may outweigh incentives for investment.
For U.S. politics, the raid highlighted President Trump’s dual message: strict enforcement of immigration laws alongside an invitation for foreign investment, provided it complies with regulations. Subcontractor networks and visa waiver programs are expected to face closer scrutiny as a result.
How the U.S. manages the fallout will shape its credibility with international partners. The treatment of detained workers and the speed of diplomatic resolution could affect not only U.S.-Korea relations but also broader perceptions of America’s reliability as an investment destination.