ICE Detains 475 South Korean Nationals at Hyundai-LG Electric Vehicle Battery Plant Construction Site

On September 4, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detained approximately 475 people, mostly South Korean nationals, at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant construction site. The raid, marking the largest single-site operation since President Trump's immigration crackdown began, raised alarm in Seoul after images showed workers in chains and handcuffs. The detained individuals were allegedly found to have overstayed their visas or were working on permits that didn't allow manual labor. Despite the US not proceeding with deportations, South Korea repatriated the workers on Friday.

Key Takeaways:

  • ICE detained approximately 475 people, mostly South Korean nationals, at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant construction site on September 4.
  • The detained individuals were allegedly found to have overstayed their visas or were working on permits that didn't allow manual labor.
  • The raid marked the largest single-site operation since President Trump's immigration crackdown began.
  • South Korean President Lee Jae Myung criticized the raid as "bewildering" and warned it could deter investment.
  • US President Trump stated that foreign experts, including those from South Korea, were crucial to building complex products, such as chips, semiconductors, and computers.
  • Korean trade unions have demanded an official apology from Washington.

Statistics:

  • 475 people were detained by ICE at the Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant construction site on September 4.
  • The detained individuals were mostly South Korean nationals.
  • The raid marked the largest single-site operation since President Trump's immigration crackdown began.
  • South Korea repatriated the workers on Friday.

Sources:

  • [No specific source cited, but article is attributed to IE Online Media Services Pvt. Ltd., distributed by Contify.com]