300 South Korean Hyundai Workers Released from US Detention Return Home

Mass Immigration Raid at Georgia Hyundai Plant Resolved Through Diplomatic Efforts

In a significant diplomatic resolution, 330 South Korean and Asian workers detained during a massive immigration raid at Hyundai's Georgia electric vehicle plant have returned home. The workers arrived at Incheon International Airport near Seoul on a chartered flight, greeted by emotional family reunions and government officials including Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik.

Largest Single-Site Immigration Operation in US History

The September 4th raid by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at Hyundai's $7.6 billion Metaplant America facility in Ellabell, Georgia, marked the largest immigration enforcement operation at a single location in US history. Approximately 475 workers were initially detained, with most being South Korean nationals working on construction of Hyundai's battery plant partnership with LG Energy Solution.

"We regret that we couldn't bring them home much earlier, despite our best efforts," stated Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik during the emotional airport reception.

Visa System Controversy Sparks Diplomatic Tensions

The incident revealed longstanding issues with the US visa system that South Korean officials claim have been ignored. According to authorities, many workers were utilizing visitor visas and the ESTA system—designed for tourism, not employment—a practice that had been tacitly tolerated for years.

US officials maintained that some detainees had entered illegally, while others possessed expired visas or visa waivers that prohibited employment. The situation created diplomatic friction between the two allied nations, with South Korean President Lee Jae-myung warning that "South Korean companies will hesitate to invest in the US unless the visa system is reformed."

Remaining Detainees and Ongoing Concerns

While 316 South Koreans, 14 Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian workers have been released, 145 detainees from Guatemala, Colombia, and Mexico remain in custody at the Folkston immigration detention center. Korean and American labor unions continue advocating for their release, highlighting the human impact of immigration enforcement policies.

The $7.6 billion Hyundai facility represents Georgia's largest economic development project, employing over 1,400 workers with plans to expand to 8,100 by 2031. The incident has raised questions about workforce management in large-scale international projects and the need for clearer immigration pathways for specialized foreign workers.