South Korean Workers Released After US Immigration Crackdown

Strategic Insights -

A diplomatic push by the South Korean government paid off Thursday as 316 Korean nationals, detained last week in a US immigration crackdown, were released from a detention center in Georgia. The workers, who were arrested at an electric vehicle battery plant under construction by a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution, were allowed to leave the country through "voluntary departure" rather than deportation. The release came a day later than initially planned due to US President Donald Trump's encouragement for the workers to stay in the US, as his administration seeks to revitalize America's shipbuilding, chipmaking, and automotive industries.

Key Takeaways:

  • 316 Korean nationals were released from a detention center in Folkston, Georgia, after being detained last week in a US immigration crackdown.
  • The workers were allowed to leave the country through "voluntary departure" rather than deportation.
  • The release came a day later than initially planned due to US President Donald Trump's encouragement for the workers to stay in the US.
  • A total of 475 people, including the Koreans, were arrested at the EV battery site in what Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officials dubbed the "largest single site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations."
  • Most Korean workers were on B-1 temporary visitor visas or a visa waiver program, and were found to be working illegally in the US.
  • South Korean President Lee Jae Myung described the week-long detention as weighing heavily on his mind, and stated that he feels a great sense of responsibility for the safety of citizens.
  • Foreign Minister Cho proposed instituting a working group to discuss the creation of a new visa category for Korean workers, which US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said he will "actively review."

Statistics:

  • 316 Korean nationals were released from detention.
  • A total of 475 people, including the Koreans, were arrested during the immigration crackdown.
  • 10 days passed since the in-person summit between South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and US President Donald Trump, which followed a framework trade deal in late July.
  • US$350 billion is the amount committed by South Korea to invest in the US under the framework trade deal.
  • 316 Korean workers were on B-1 temporary visitor visas or a visa waiver program.

Sources:

  • Yonhap News Agency, 11 September 2025.
  • "U.S. permits early release of 316 Korean detainees ahead of schedule," Yonhap News Agency, 11 September 2025.
  • "Trump seeks to attract foreign investors with a soft touch," Yonhap News Agency, 5 September 2025.
  • "Lee Jae Myung's state visit to the US: A grand ceremony, but little substance," Yonhap News Agency, 2 September 2025.