A historic immigration raid at a Hyundai facility in Georgia will push back its opening by at least two months. The company confirmed the delay after hundreds of foreign workers were detained.
raid heightens diplomatic tensions
The raid has escalated strains between Washington and Seoul. Many of the detained workers were South Korean citizens. President Yoon warned the crackdown could discourage foreign investment in the United States.
South Korean officials said the workers were sent temporarily to help launch the plant. Hyundai chief executive José Muñoz told American media the raid will delay the opening by two to three months because many workers now intend to return home.
largest us immigration operation
The Georgia raid became the largest immigration operation in US history. Authorities detained 475 people, including roughly 300 South Koreans. US officials said the workers did not have authorization to work. South Korean officials countered that sending staff abroad to establish factories is standard practice.
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 proposed the workers remain in the United States to continue training American staff. Only one agreed.
hyundai works on staffing solutions
José Muñoz said Hyundai is exploring how to replace staff who plan to return to South Korea. The company stressed that none of the detained workers were directly employed by Hyundai.
LG Energy Solution, which co-operates the Georgia battery plant with Hyundai, said many detained staff held visas or entered under the visa waiver programme.
investment commitments face uncertainty
At a press conference on Thursday, President Yoon warned stricter regulations could complicate factory construction in the United States. He said companies may begin to question whether large-scale investments remain worthwhile.
The raid has also cast doubt on a trade deal agreed earlier this year. Donald Trump pledged to reduce tariff threats in exchange for billions of dollars in South Korean investment.
Hyundai alone promised $26 billion, including a steel plant in Louisiana. Trump celebrated the project as part of his plan to revive US manufacturing with foreign capital.
georgia project set to create thousands of jobs
The raided plant is part of a vast industrial complex in Georgia. The development is expected to create 8,500 jobs and has been hailed as the most significant economic project in the state’s history.
