Korean Workers Return Home After Immigration Raid

Last week, over 300 Korean workers detained during a U.S. immigration operation returned home, reuniting with their families on Friday.

These individuals were part of approximately 475 people targeted in a raid on September 4 at a battery factory under construction near Hyundai’s automobile plant west of Savannah.

The imagery captured during the operation—showing workers restrained with chains—ignited significant outrage and feelings of betrayal among the Korean public.

After being transported on a Korean Air Boeing 747-8I, they arrived at Incheon International Airport, just west of Seoul. Upon landing, they were greeted by senior officials, including a presidential representative, who expressed support through applause.

The airport buzzed with reporters eager to cover the event, while one protester attempted to voice criticism of the immigration crackdown by unfurling a large flag featuring an image of President Trump before security intervened.

In the midst of this, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry requested that the media obscure the workers’ faces in any coverage to protect their privacy.

The charter flight included 330 individuals from the raid, with the majority being Koreans, alongside a smaller number of Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian workers. These individuals had been held at an Immigration Detention Center located 285 miles southeast of Atlanta.

The release was a relief for families and colleagues waiting at the airport, some of whom were there to welcome them home.

One brother of a detained worker, Hwang In-Song, shared that he had been unable to reach his brother until late Thursday night. He described last week as the “most difficult time” for their family.

“We asked him how he was, and he reassured us—said he was fine. But we really couldn’t talk much as he was about to board,” he recounted.

Another family member, Choi Yong-ju, 64, shared that her son had managed a brief call around the same time.

“He didn’t say much about his situation, just that he was okay and not to worry too much,” she relayed.

On Sunday, South Korea announced it had reached an agreement with the U.S. regarding the release of these workers. While the South Korean government had aimed to facilitate their repatriation last Thursday, the plan faced some delays attributed to U.S. processes.

Subsequently, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry indicated that President Trump had allowed the workers to return home while noting some detainees opted to remain in the U.S.

“President Trump instructed that those who wanted to go home should be allowed to do so freely, and those who preferred to stay could make that choice,” South Korean President Lee Jae Myung stated during a press conference, explaining that administrative procedures had been altered accordingly.

The battery plant involved is a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solutions, part of a broader initiative where Korean firms are establishing various industrial sites across the U.S., including semiconductor plants and shipbuilding projects.

U.S. authorities noted that while some of the detained workers had crossed the border illegally, others had entered legally but overstayed their visas or violated work restrictions. However, South Korean officials have criticized the U.S. for not enhancing its visa system to better support skilled workers, particularly as South Korea seeks to boost industrial investment in America.

It’s worth noting that many Korean companies have heavily relied on short-term visitor visas or electronic systems for transporting employees essential for initiating manufacturing operations.