A sweeping immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will delay its opening by at least two months. The company confirmed the postponement after hundreds of foreign workers were detained.
raid sparks diplomatic strain
The raid has heightened tensions between the United States and South Korea. Many of those detained came from South Korea. President Yoon warned the crackdown could discourage future foreign investment in the United States.
South Korean officials said many workers were sent on a temporary basis to help launch the new plant. Hyundai chief executive José Muñoz told American media the raid will cause a delay of two to three months because the workers now want to return home.
largest immigration raid in us history
The Georgia operation was the biggest immigration raid in American history. Authorities detained 475 people, including about 300 South Koreans. US officials said the workers had no authorization to work in the country. South Korean officials argued it is common practice for Korean companies to send staff abroad to set up factories.
Officials in Seoul confirmed that the detained workers are expected to fly home on Friday. Their departure had been scheduled for Wednesday but was postponed. Opposition leader Lee Jae Myung said Donald Trump proposed the workers remain in the United States to continue training Americans. Only one person accepted that offer.
hyundai looks for solutions
José Muñoz said Hyundai is now working on how to replace the workers planning to return to South Korea. The company emphasized that none of those arrested had been directly employed by Hyundai.
LG Energy Solution, which operates the Georgia battery plant with Hyundai, stated that many detained employees held various visas or were covered by the visa waiver programme.
investment commitments under pressure
At a press conference on Thursday, President Yoon warned the crackdown could make building factories in the United States more difficult. He said stricter rules may force companies to reconsider whether such projects are worth the risk.
The raid has raised concerns about the strength of a trade deal agreed earlier this year. Donald Trump had promised to ease tariff threats in exchange for billions of dollars in new investments from South Korea.
Hyundai alone pledged $26 billion, including a steel plant in Louisiana. Trump highlighted the project as part of his strategy to revive US manufacturing with foreign investment.
georgia’s biggest development project
The raided site is part of a larger industrial complex in Georgia. The project is designed to create 8,500 jobs and has been hailed as the largest economic development effort in the state’s history.
