Trump Calls Hundreds of Arrested Workers "Illegal Aliens," Vows to Crack Down on Unlawful Employment Practices

U.S. President Donald Trump sparked controversy on Friday after describing hundreds of workers arrested in a raid at a South Korean plant construction site in Georgia as "illegal aliens." According to Trump, the workers, mostly South Koreans, were arrested as part of his administration's immigration crackdown. The raid, carried out by U.S. authorities, resulted in the arrest of 475 people, with a majority of them being South Koreans who were illegally present in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

• A total of 475 workers were arrested during the raid at the Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution Ltd. electric vehicle battery construction site in Bryan County, Georgia.
• A majority of the arrested workers were South Korean nationals, with more than 300 being South Korean nationals.
• The workers were arrested for unlawful employment practices and serious federal crimes, including some who had overstayed their visas, others who came in through a visa waiver program, and some who illegally crossed the border into the U.S.
• Those taken into custody include subcontractors working for various companies, with some being in the custody of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations.
• The raid was the largest single-site enforcement operation in the history of Homeland Security Investigations, with authorities casting it as a success in upholding the rule of law.
• Hyundai Motor America stated that none of the detained workers are directly employed by the company and will conduct an investigation to ensure all suppliers and their subcontractors comply with all laws and regulations.

Statistics:

• 475 workers were arrested during the raid.
• More than 300 of the arrested workers were South Korean nationals.
• The raid resulted in the arrest of a "majority" of South Koreans, with some being from other countries.
• The 475 people were illegally present in the United States, with some having overstayed visas, others having entered through a visa waiver program, and some having entered the country illegally.
• Most of those arrested were brought to the Folkston Immigration Detention Center in Folkston, Georgia on Thursday night.
• One individual was reported to have been "overheating," and one agent suffered a minor laceration during the raid.

Sources:

• Yonhap News Agency
• White House press availability
• Homeland Security Investigations press conference
• U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Georgia press release
• Hyundai Motor Group statement
• South Korea's foreign ministry statement