South Korea Seeks US Support for New Work Visa
- An immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor battery plant in Georgia has led to the arrest of hundreds of South Korean workers, sparking diplomatic tensions and delaying the...
- On Thursday, September 12, 2025, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a Hyundai Motor battery plant under construction in Bryan County, Georgia.
- The raid prompted the South Korean government to summon the US ambassador to Seoul to express its concerns.
US Immigration Raid Disrupts Hyundai Battery Plant, Strains US-South Korea Relations
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An immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor battery plant in Georgia has led to the arrest of hundreds of South Korean workers, sparking diplomatic tensions and delaying the plant’s opening. The incident highlights ongoing challenges with US work visas for skilled foreign workers.
What Happened?
On Thursday, September 12, 2025, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raided a Hyundai Motor battery plant under construction in Bryan County, Georgia. The raid resulted in the arrest of hundreds of south Korean workers, according to reports from Reuters and Axios. the US Commerce Secretary, Howard Lutnick, stated that the workers where found to be in the country on incorrect visas.
The raid prompted the South Korean government to summon the US ambassador to Seoul to express its concerns. The South korean ministry of Foreign Affairs stated the raid was “vrey regrettable” and requested the US government ensure the fair treatment of its citizens. The US government had temporarily halted the departure process of the workers to consult with South Korea regarding their status – whether thay should remain to continue training US workers or be deported.
Impact on Hyundai and the US-South Korea Relationship
Hyundai CEO Jose Munoz announced on Thursday that the raid will delay the plant’s startup by a minimum of two to three months. The plant is a crucial component of Hyundai’s expansion into the US electric vehicle market and represents a significant investment in the state of Georgia. The delay could impact Hyundai’s production targets and potentially affect the broader supply chain for electric vehicle batteries.
The timing of the raid is notably sensitive, as both the US and South Korea are working to finalize a trade deal. The incident has threatened to destabilize the relationship between the two countries,potentially complicating trade negotiations. South Korean companies have long complained about difficulties obtaining short-term work visas for specialists needed at their US plants, often relying on looser interpretations of visa rules under previous administrations, as reported by Axios.
Visa Issues and the Role of US Commerce Secretary
US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick downplayed the issue, suggesting the South Korean workers simply needed the correct visas. In an interview with Axios, Lutnick stated, “I called up the Koreans, I said, Oh, give me a break. Get the right visa and if