ICE Raid on South Korean Workers in Georgia Sparks Tensions and Investment Concerns
Seoul/Atlanta — The recent ICE raid on more than 300 South Korean workers in Georgia has triggered shockwaves in Seoul, with President Lee Jae-myung warning that the fallout could directly affect future South Korean investment in the United States.
Speaking at a press conference marking his 100th day in office, Lee called the situation “very confusing” for Korean companies that rely on skilled technicians to set up factories and install advanced equipment in the US.
“Confusion surrounding the visa process will inevitably make Korean businesses question whether they should move forward with investments at all,” Lee said. “This issue could have a considerable impact on foreign direct investment in the United States. We are urging the US to normalize the visa process, whether by expanding quotas or introducing a new visa category for skilled workers.”
Workers Detained in Georgia
The raid, one of the largest US immigration enforcement operations in years, took place at the Hyundai Motor Group’s new electric vehicle and battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia. The joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution represents billions of dollars in investment and is seen as a cornerstone of South Korea’s industrial footprint in the US.
Images released by ICE showing South Korean workers shackled and marched onto buses caused outrage in South Korea, where many saw the scenes as a betrayal of the long-standing alliance forged since the Korean War.
Some of the 475 detained workers reportedly entered the US illegally, while others overstayed visas or were working under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows short-term stays for business or tourism. Lawyers for several detainees argue their clients were legally employed at the Georgia site.
Trump Temporarily Pauses Deportations
On Thursday, South Korea’s foreign ministry revealed that President Donald Trump temporarily paused the deportation process to review the workers’ status.
“The US president agreed to listen to our position on whether these skilled workers might be able to continue working in the US,” the ministry said in a statement.
However, Foreign Minister Cho Hyun emphasized that Seoul’s priority was ensuring a swift and safe return home. He told US Secretary of State Marco Rubio that it would be best for the workers to return to South Korea first and re-enter later under proper visa arrangements — a position the US said it respected.
According to Seoul officials, Trump even instructed immigration authorities to transport the workers without handcuffs or chains, in response to South Korea’s request.
Growing Outrage and Political Fallout
The detentions have ignited bipartisan frustration in Seoul. Choi Jong-kun, former First Vice Foreign Minister, described the raid as a “slap in the face” to a close ally.
Critics also highlighted the longstanding shortage of US work visas for South Koreans, which has left companies struggling to staff large-scale projects despite the scale of their investments.
“The US approves far too few business visas for Korean professionals,” said Cho Hee-kyoung, a law professor at Hongik University. “This situation has been building for years.”
In July, US lawmakers introduced the “Partner with Korea Act,” aimed at creating new visa categories for South Korean workers, though the bill has yet to advance in Congress.
What’s Next?
The detained workers are scheduled to return to Seoul on Friday, but the incident has already raised questions about whether South Korean companies will hesitate before committing to new projects in the US.
As both nations weigh economic and strategic ties, the raid risks complicating a relationship that has been central to military and economic cooperation for more than 70 years.