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| ▲ This image from a video provided by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and released by the Associated Press shows manufacturing plant employees waiting to have their legs shackled at Hyundai Motor Group's electric vehicle plant in Ellabell, Georgia, on Sept. 4, 2025. (Yonhap) |
S Korea-US immigration crackdown
Detained S. Koreans in Georgia expected to return home on voluntary basis: sources
By Kim Seung-yeon
SEOUL, Sept. 8 (Yonhap) -- South Korean workers detained in an immigration raid in the United States are likely to return home voluntarily instead of facing deportation, diplomatic sources said Monday, as Seoul plans to send a chartered flight after consultations with Washington.
More than 300 South Korean nationals are being held at a detention center in Folkston, Georgia, following Thursday's raid at an electric vehicle battery plant construction site operated by a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution near Savannah.
South Korea's presidential office said Sunday a chartered plane will fly to the U.S. to bring them back home after completing consultations with Washington to resolve the matter.
Seoul has been in talks with Washington to arrange the detained South Koreans' return under voluntary departure, as deportation upon release could hinder their future travel to the United States by triggering stricter visa screening or even a travel ban.
U.S. immigration authorities have reportedly given the detainees two options: accept deportation and take a five-year reentry ban, or remain in custody and stand trial.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun is set to fly to the United States later Monday to meet officials and finalize arrangements for the return of the South Korean citizens.
Cho is also expected to request the U.S. consider taking measures to revise the visa quotas and related policy concerning South Korea to prevent similar cases from recurring.
The chartered plane is expected to head to the U.S. on Wednesday, Cho Ki-joong, consul general at the Korean Embassy in Washington, said in a press meeting at the Folkston detention center.
Once the Koreans are released, they are expected to move to Jacksonville International Airport in Florida, about a 50-minute bus ride from the detention center.
On Sunday, U.S. President Donald Trump said the raid and arrests of South Koreans will not strain the relationship with South Korea and he will look at the situation.
U.S. authorities detained 475 people, including about 300 South Koreans, in Thursday's raid as part of an investigation into what it called unlawful workplace practices.
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