Over 300 South Korean workers detained in a U.S. immigration raid at a Georgia battery plant are scheduled to return home, with most declining an offer from U.S. President Donald Trump to remain in the United States.
The raid, targeting a $4.3 billion Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution project, has strained U.S.-South Korea relations and raised concerns about future investments.
The workers, arrested on Sept. 4 alongside over 150 others, including Chinese, Japanese, and Indonesian nationals, were held at a detention center in Folkston, Georgia.
South Korean officials negotiated their "voluntary" departure to avoid formal deportations, which could bar reentry to the U.S. for up to 10 years.
A Korean Air Boeing 747-8i landed in Atlanta to transport the 316 South Koreans, who were moved by bus from the detention center to Hartsfield-Jackson airport without handcuffs, meeting a key South Korean demand.
Only one worker chose to stay, despite Trump’s offer to train American workers.
The raid has sparked diplomatic tensions, with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung warning that U.S. visa restrictions could deter future investments.
“Our businesses that are investing in the United States will no doubt be very hesitant,” Lee said, highlighting challenges in securing short-term work visas for skilled technicians.
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun proposed a new visa category during talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, aiming to ease restrictions for Korean specialists.
The public release of arrest footage further shocked South Korean officials, prompting calls for fair treatment and future reentry rights for the workers.
The incident threatens a $7.6 billion Hyundai plant, a major economic project in Georgia employing 1,200 people.
South Korean firms, reliant on visa waiver programs like ESTA or B-1 visas, face uncertainty after the raid exposed a “grey zone” in visa rule enforcement.
LG Energy Solution is now urging subcontractors to hire local workers and develop contingency plans.
As South Korea pushes for visa reforms, the broader impact on bilateral trade and investment remains unclear, with some workers already leaving other U.S. sites due to visa concerns.