US President Donald Trump has cautioned foreign companies investing in the United States to comply with American immigration laws, following a large-scale Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia.
The raid resulted in the detention of nearly 475 workers, including about 300 South Korean nationals.
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump emphasized that while foreign investments are welcome, companies must adhere to US laws. “Following the Immigration Enforcement Operation on the Hyundai Battery Plant in Georgia, I am hereby calling on all Foreign Companies investing in the United States to please respect our Nation’s Immigration Laws,” Trump stated.
Trump encouraged companies to bring in skilled workers legally and prioritize hiring and training American workers. “Your investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people, with great technical talent, to build World Class products, and we will make it quickly and legally possible for you to do so. What we ask in return is that you hire and train American Workers,” he added.
The raid at the Hyundai plant, a joint venture with LG Energy Solution, was part of a months-long investigation into labor practices at the site. Most of the detained workers were taken to an immigration detention center in Folkston, Georgia. None have been charged with crimes yet, and the investigation is ongoing.
South Korea’s government has expressed “concern and regret” over the raid and sent diplomats to the site. After diplomatic talks, an agreement was reached for the release of the detained South Korean workers, who will be flown back home on a chartered flight.
South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun stressed that the rights and interests of South Korean nationals and businesses investing in the US “must not be infringed upon”. The opposition People Power Party reacted angrily, warning that the detentions “could pose a serious risk” to the country.
The incident highlights the challenges in US-South Korea relations, particularly regarding immigration policies.
Despite the agreement to release the detained workers, the raid has sparked tensions between the two countries. Senior PPP spokesperson Park Sung-hoon blamed President Lee Jae-myung’s government for the incident, saying their “pragmatic diplomacy” towards the US had failed to ensure the safety of citizens and competitiveness of South Korean businesses.
The immigration raid at the Hyundai plant in Georgia has sparked a diplomatic row between the US and South Korea, with Seoul expressing “concern and regret” over the detention of its nationals.
The South Korean government has dispatched a team to Georgia to provide support to its citizens and negotiate their release. The incident has raised questions about the impact of US immigration policies on foreign investment and diplomatic relations.
The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) conducted the raid as part of a months-long investigation into labor practices at the Hyundai-LG battery plant.
While none of the detained workers have been charged with crimes yet, the investigation is ongoing. The incident highlights the challenges of enforcing immigration laws in industries with complex supply chains and subcontracting arrangements.
The raid has sparked tensions between the US and South Korea, with the opposition People Power Party warning that the detentions “could pose a serious risk” to the country.
Senior PPP spokesperson Park Sung-hoon blamed President Lee Jae-myung’s government for the incident, saying their “pragmatic diplomacy” towards the US had failed to ensure the safety of citizens and competitiveness of South Korean businesses.
Despite the agreement to release the detained workers, the incident may strain US-South Korea relations, particularly in the context of upcoming diplomatic meetings.
The Hyundai-LG complex is part of the biggest foreign investment in the state of Georgia, and the incident may have implications for future investment decisions.
US President Donald Trump has downplayed concerns over the raid, stating that it will not damage relations between Washington and Seoul.
However, the incident may test the strength of the US-South Korea alliance and highlight the need for clearer immigration policies and better communication between governments.
South Korean officials have criticized the US for releasing images showing detained workers in handcuffs and ankle chains being escorted onto buses.
Park Yoon-joo, South Korea’s first vice foreign minister, expressed her government’s concerns to US officials, saying it was “lamentable” that such a raid occurred. The South Korean government has pledged to streamline visa access for South Korean nationals working in the US to prevent similar incidents in the future.
