A massive immigration raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia will postpone its opening by at least two months. The company confirmed the delay after hundreds of foreign workers were detained.
raid fuels diplomatic tensions
The raid has increased friction between Washington and Seoul. Many of the detained workers were South Korean nationals. President Yoon warned the crackdown could discourage foreign companies from investing in the United States.
South Korean officials said the workers were sent temporarily to help launch the new plant. Hyundai chief executive José Muñoz told American media the raid will delay operations by two to three months because many workers now plan to return home.
largest immigration sweep in us history
The Georgia raid marked the biggest immigration sweep in American history. Authorities detained 475 people, including roughly 300 South Koreans. US officials said the workers lacked legal authorization to work. South Korean officials countered that sending staff abroad to establish factories is common practice for Korean firms.
Officials in Seoul confirmed the workers are scheduled to fly home on Friday. Their departure had been planned for Wednesday but postponed. Opposition leader Lee Jae Myung said Donald Trump suggested the workers remain in the United States to continue training American staff. Only one accepted.
hyundai plans workforce replacements
José Muñoz said Hyundai is working on how to replace the employees returning to South Korea. The company stressed that none of the detained staff were directly employed by Hyundai.
LG Energy Solution, which operates the Georgia battery plant with Hyundai, said many of the detained employees held visas or entered under the visa waiver programme.
investment commitments face challenges
At a press conference on Thursday, President Yoon warned stricter rules could complicate factory construction in the United States. He said companies might reconsider whether such major investments remain worthwhile.
The raid has raised questions about a trade agreement agreed earlier this year. Donald Trump pledged to reduce tariff threats in exchange for billions of dollars in South Korean investment.
Hyundai alone committed $26 billion, including a new steel plant in Louisiana. Trump celebrated the project as part of his strategy to revive US manufacturing with foreign capital.
georgia project expected to reshape local economy
The raided facility is part of a vast industrial complex in Georgia. The project is expected to generate 8,500 jobs and has been described as the most significant economic development in the state’s history.
