Return of South Korean Workers After US Immigration Raid Raises Concerns

Sat Sep 13 2025 09:14:45 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

Over 300 South Korean workers detained during a U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai plant have returned home amidst rising tensions between the U.S. and South Korea.

More than 300 South Korean workers, detained during a significant immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, have returned to South Korea. Their return has sparked concerns about the implications for U.S.-South Korean relations, especially in light of ongoing investment discussions. One worker chose to remain in the U.S. to seek residency, while the detainment has prompted protests in South Korea and has led companies to reassess their investments in the country.

More than 300 South Koreans who were detained in a massive immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in the U.S. state of Georgia have arrived back home. Their return comes as the country's president and Hyundai's chief executive have warned about the impact of the raid.

A chartered Korean Air jet carrying the workers and 14 non-Koreans who were also detained in the raid took off from Atlanta at midday local time. One South Korean national has reportedly chosen to stay in the U.S. to seek permanent residency.

The incident has shaken ties between the U.S. and South Korea, as companies from both countries are investing billions in the States—investment President Trump has promoted as essential.

The workers' departure was delayed by more than a day due to an instruction from the White House, according to South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The pause was ordered to verify whether the workers were willing to remain in the U.S. to continue working and training Americans.

The returning workers appeared happy but tired as they arrived at Incheon International Airport and were reunited with their families, with one exclaiming, I'm back, I'm free. However, the return was met with protests from some in South Korea, who criticized the raid's treatment of their nationals.

Security was tight at the airport, as South Korea's foreign ministry advised media to blur photographs to protect the workers' identities. The detainment had sparked public outrage, with many South Koreans voicing shock and concern over the implications for future investments in the U.S.

Last week, U.S. officials detained around 475 people—over 300 of them South Korean—at the Hyundai battery facility, one of the largest foreign investment projects in Georgia. The workers were reportedly working illegally, but many of them had visas or were under a visa waiver program.

Officials warned that the raid could create hesitance among companies about investing in the U.S., with President Lee calling the situation bewildering. Hyundai's CEO has indicated that the raid will likely delay the plant's opening by at least two months as the company seeks new workers.

The South Korean foreign ministry has called for U.S. Congress support for a new visa to facilitate the movement of Korean workers. Koreans in the U.S. have raised sentiments of broken trust, emphasizing the need for cooperation to repair cracks in this crucial alliance.