South Korean Workers Released After US Battery Plant Immigration Raid

Following a major immigration raid at a Hyundai and LG Energy Solution battery plant construction site in Georgia, more than 300 South Korean workers detained were released and flown back to South Korea on a Korean Air chartered plane. The raid, which involved 475 workers including over 300 Koreans, has heightened visa concerns among South Korean employees at LG Energy Solution's U.S. plants, prompting many to return home amid fears of further immigration enforcement. LG Energy Solution has advised workers on business visas to leave the U.S. and instructed subcontractors to prepare contingency plans, including hiring local workers, due to operational risks created by the visa situation. South Korean President Lee Jae Myung expressed concern that the raid and visa issues could make Korean companies hesitant to invest further in the United States and called for improvements to the U.S. visa system. Discussions between South Korean and U.S. officials are reportedly underway to create a new visa category to address the challenges faced by Korean workers in high-tech manufacturing roles. The deportation process and treatment of detainees, including disputes over handcuffing during transport, drew attention and involved direct instructions from President Trump to allow detainees to return home freely.