A sweeping immigration raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia will delay its launch by at least two months. The company confirmed the setback after hundreds of foreign workers were taken into custody.
raid fuels diplomatic fallout
The raid has strained relations between the United States and South Korea. A large share of the detained workers came from South Korea. President Yoon warned the incident could deter foreign companies from investing in the United States.
South Korean officials explained that many workers were sent temporarily to help start operations at the new plant. Hyundai chief executive José Muñoz told American media the raid will delay the opening by two to three months because many workers now want to go home.
largest operation of its kind in us
The Georgia raid marked the largest immigration operation in US history. Authorities detained 475 people, including around 300 South Koreans. US immigration officials said the workers lacked authorization to work in the country. South Korean officials insisted Korean firms often dispatch staff abroad to launch overseas facilities.
Officials in Seoul confirmed that the detained workers are expected to return home on Friday. Their flight was originally scheduled for Wednesday but was delayed. Opposition leader Lee Jae Myung said Donald Trump suggested the workers stay to continue training American staff. Only one accepted the offer.
hyundai prepares for gaps
José Muñoz said Hyundai is assessing how to replace staff who plan to return to South Korea. The company underlined that none of the detained people had been directly employed by Hyundai.
LG Energy Solution, which jointly operates the Georgia battery facility with Hyundai, said many arrested workers held different visas or traveled under the visa waiver programme.
foreign investment at stake
At a press conference on Thursday, President Yoon warned such measures could make factory construction in the United States more complicated. He said companies may begin to question whether major investments remain worthwhile.
The raid has raised doubts about a trade deal finalized earlier this year. Donald Trump agreed to ease tariff threats in return for billions of dollars in investment commitments from South Korea.
Hyundai alone pledged $26 billion, including a steel plant in Louisiana. Trump celebrated the project as part of his push to revive American manufacturing with foreign investment.
georgia project promises thousands of jobs
The raided plant is part of a massive industrial complex in Georgia. The development aims to create 8,500 jobs and has been promoted as the largest economic project in the state’s history.
