Welcome back, everyone. I’m diving into something serious today. First off, I’m in the process of drafting a request for a retraction and an apology regarding comments I made on my podcast. Let’s set the record straight…
I have to admit, I’m one of those people who actually reads all the comments on YouTube. Sure, many experts advise against it, claiming that the online space can be pretty harsh. And they’re right. I mean, one of my self-proclaimed “fans” constantly jokes about my love for mozzarella sticks, and, honestly, those fat jokes were more inventive back in the day.
That said, I do get some constructive feedback from comments—story leads, and a dose of encouragement. A number of times, someone has even pointed out a significant error in what I reported.
So, when I stumbled across this comment about Natcon Squad, it really caught my attention:
“Until Natcon Squad apologizes and retracts the statement where they referred to the 475 Koreans legally employed in Georgia as ‘illegal aliens,’ I can only assume everything they say is false and that they are simply hacks.”
My first thought was, “Whoa, I might’ve messed this up!”
You might recall the initial report, right? An immigration officer disclosed that a Hyundai factory in Georgia was raided, resulting in the arrest of 475 workers. While they weren’t all Korean, there was certainly a notable number. The operation was particularly significant given its ties to a battery factory linked to the electric vehicle initiative that former President Joe Biden touted.
In a press release from October 2022, he said, “By investing over $5 billion and creating over 8,000 jobs, Hyundai’s electric vehicles and batteries will help families and ultimately reduce costs for Americans.”
Instead, this 475-person roundup turned out to be the largest single-site enforcement operation in homeland security’s history. Subsequently, reports indicated that 317 individuals were ultimately arrested.
This whole crackdown didn’t sit well with South Korea. A local newspaper insisted that the illegal immigrant treatment felt like “potential war” and detailed the “humiliation” experienced by Koreans being expelled by American allies. Hyundai clarified that these workers were not direct employees and promised to investigate further.
In an effort to maintain diplomatic relations and safeguard future investments, the U.S. had to make concessions. After discussions with the South Korean government, U.S. authorities released all detainees without formal deportation, allowing them to return legally to the U.S. in the future.
Some individuals, including those commenting on my YouTube page demanding an apology and retraction, were released as proof that these plant workers had been legally in the country, following their return. But, well, things aren’t exactly that black and white.
A New York Times article pointed out ongoing diplomatic tensions, reporting that Hyundai and LG could enter the U.S. on short-term business or tourist visas. Sometimes, I really do question the law as it stands.
One worker admitted to the NYT, “We knew we were stepping into the grey zone between legal and illegal.” Many of those employees were here on temporary business visitor visas, allowing them 1-6 months for just about consulting work—no heavy lifting, so to speak.
Others reportedly entered through the Travel Authorization (ESTA) program, which has eligibility criteria under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Now, there are strict limitations for business trips under the VWP for 90 days. Like B-1, attendees can join meetings but can’t really perform labor—skilled or unskilled.
There is one exception concerning certain equipment installations, but visa holders must possess skills that American workers can’t easily replicate.
So, to conclude that “475 Koreans were legally working in Georgia,” we have to buy into the idea that they operated within those tight exceptions or those outlined by the VWP. There’s only been one public case where someone was substantially upset about their conditions while working in the U.S.
What sounds likely, though? Out of about 2,000 workers on that EV plant, do we really think 475 were highly-skilled software engineers with irreplaceable skills? Or were they doing jobs expressly prohibited under their visa terms, essentially saving Hyundai LG from hiring Americans?
Is there additional evidence pointing toward the latter possibility? Right now, one employee is suing Hyundai’s subsidiary over allegations of visa fraud. A class-action lawsuit from 2024 claims that these companies misled workers to apply for specialized foreign visas only to relegate them to unskilled labor that their visa didn’t allow.
The suit states, “This case involves fraud, discrimination, breach of contract, assault, and wage violations against foreign workers exploited in an illegal scheme for cheap labor.”
They allege they were underpaid compared to their American counterparts. So, if an automaker commits to a significant investment for a factory, should the U.S. opt for a more relaxed approach to immigration enforcement when foreign contractors are involved? Or is it more sensible to uphold the law consistently, even if that might strain relationships with allies and delay project timelines?
That’s probably a conversation for another time.
Now, what else is catching my eye?
This story really encapsulates it all…
Oversight of illegal immigrants led to policies that allowed criminals to be hired in districts.
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They seem unconcerned.
Democrats faced backlash after mistakenly intertwining murder victims’ context in front of their grieving father.
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Puppet Edgar takes on feminists in indifferent vests in his latest episode…
