South Korea slams U.S. after ICE raid targets Korean workers at Hyundai plant weeks after trade deal
By isabelle // 2025-09-08
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  • ICE conducts largest-ever raid at a Georgia Hyundai plant, detaining 475 mostly South Korean workers for visa violations just weeks after a $350 billion U.S.-Korea trade deal.
  • South Korea condemns the operation as unjust, demands worker releases, and threatens diplomatic retaliation including visa policy changes.
  • Trump defends ICE’s actions, calling detained workers illegal aliens, while critics argue resources should focus on violent criminals instead.
  • The raid strains U.S.-South Korea relations, risking future investments and trade agreements amid accusations of unfair targeting.
  • Lawmakers and business leaders warn the crackdown undermines trust with a key ally and could deter foreign investment in U.S. industries.
Just two weeks after Presidents Donald Trump and Lee Jae-myung finalized a landmark $350 billion trade deal, the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agency conducted its largest single-site raid in history, detaining more than 300 South Korean nationals at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia. The move has sparked a diplomatic crisis, with Seoul condemning the operation as an unjust infringement on its citizens and businesses. The raid, which took place at a Hyundai-LG Energy Solution construction site near Savannah, resulted in the detention of 475 workers, most of them South Korean. Many were visiting on short-term business visas or under the Visa Waiver Program, but ICE determined their activities did not align with their visa status. The crackdown has left Seoul furious, with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun warning that the rights of Korean citizens and investors “must not be unfairly infringed upon.” President Lee ordered an “all-out response,” including potential high-level trips to Washington for consultations. The South Korean government also dispatched consular officials to the site and chartered a plane to repatriate the detained workers. Meanwhile, LG Energy Solution suspended U.S. business travel and advised employees to return home, signaling broader concerns about Korean investments in America.

A diplomatic misstep at a critical time

The timing of the raid couldn’t be worse. Just weeks earlier, Trump and Lee had celebrated a “full and complete trade deal,” with South Korea pledging massive investments in U.S. industries like electric vehicles and shipbuilding. Now, Seoul is questioning whether American enforcement actions are targeting its businesses unfairly. “At a time when numerous Korean firms are expanding investment and building factories across the U.S., such mass detentions of workers could pose a serious risk at the national level,” warned Jang Dong-hyeok, chair of South Korea’s opposition People Power Party. Trump, however, defended the operation, telling reporters, “I would say that they were illegal aliens, and ICE was just doing its job.” But wouldn't ICE’s resources be better spent targeting violent criminals or drug traffickers rather than foreign workers engaged in business activities?

A broader pattern of enforcement overreach?

The raid has raised questions about whether ICE is prioritizing high-profile operations over meaningful border security. While the agency claims the detentions were necessary due to visa violations, South Korea insists many of those arrested were lawfully present but engaged in work not explicitly permitted under their visa terms. The fallout has been swift. U.S. lawmakers, including members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, called the raid “deeply alarming,” arguing it undermines trust with key allies. Meanwhile, Hyundai and LG Energy Solution—both major investors in the U.S.—are now reviewing their operations to avoid future legal risks.

What’s next for U.S.-South Korea relations?

With tensions rising, Seoul has made it clear it won’t back down. Foreign Minister Cho Hyun hinted at possible visa policy changes to prevent similar incidents, while LG Energy Solution sent an executive to Georgia to secure the release of its employees. The bigger question is whether this diplomatic rift will derail the recent trade agreement or deter future Korean investments in America. One thing is certain: If ICE continues targeting workers from allied nations while illegal border crossings remain largely unchecked, the U.S. risks alienating partners it can’t afford to lose. This incident should serve as a warning. While securing borders is essential, indiscriminate raids on law-abiding foreign workers from a key ally send the wrong message. If the U.S. wants to maintain strong economic and strategic ties with South Korea in the face of rising tensions with China, it must ensure its enforcement actions are fair, targeted, and proportional. Sources for this article include: RT.com TIME.com Reuters.com AlJazeera.com
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