The South Korean government has deployed a chartered Korean Air Boeing 747-8i from Seoul to the United States to repatriate over 300 South Korean workers detained during an intensified immigration enforcement action at a Hyundai-LG battery plant in Georgia—marking the largest workplace raid conducted by U.S. Homeland Security to date.
From Raid to Repatriation
On September 4, the U.S. conducted a sweeping raid at the $4.3 billion Hyundai-LG battery facility near Savannah, Georgia, detaining approximately 475 individuals, the majority being South Korean subcontractors. Many were found to be working under B-1 business or ESTA visa schemes not suited for labor—highlighting visa loopholes exploited amid labor shortages.
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Diplomatic Urgency and Coordinated Flight
Amid widespread outrage in Seoul and diplomatic urgency, South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun traveled to Washington, D.C., to negotiate terms for the workers’ release and future re-entry permissions. Negotiations led to “voluntary departures” instead of formal deportations to prevent reentry bans.
The chartered Boeing 747-8i took off Wednesday morning and is expected to ferry the workers back once processing is complete. Some Japanese and Chinese detainees will also join the return flight.
Visa Reform Push Intensifies
The incident has exposed vulnerabilities in current visa systems for skilled professionals. South Korean officials are calling for a dedicated visa framework to prevent dependence on visitor or business categories for industrial projects such as battery manufacturing.
U.S. Response and Broader Implications
While President Trump reiterated the necessity for enforcement of immigration laws, he also reaffirmed his administration’s interest in facilitating legal entry for skilled professionals. The White House and U.S. agencies are reportedly exploring visa policy adjustments to accommodate joint ventures and foreign investments without compromising national labor integrity.
