SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — A South Korean charter plane departed for the U.S. on Wednesday to assist in bringing back workers who were detained during an immigration raid in Georgia. A total of 475 individuals were rounded up during the raid at a battery factory being constructed at Hyundai's significant auto plant located west of Savannah on September 4. Reports indicated that many were seen shackled with chains during the apprehension, prompting international concern.

Following the raid, South Korea's government announced that an agreement had been reached with U.S. officials for the workers' release. Footage from South Korean television displayed the charter plane taking off from Incheon International Airport, and it is expected to return to South Korea with the detained workers on Thursday afternoon, according to media reports.

Conducted by the U.S. Homeland Security agency, this raid represents the largest immigration operation under the current administration, which has been under fire for a broader mass deportation agenda. Georgia was targeted as many prominent South Korean businesses operate within the state and have plans for substantial investments. Shortly before the raid, South Korea had committed to investing hundreds of billions of dollars in the U.S. to negotiate a tariff deal, coinciding with the first summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on August 25.

In a recent statement, President Trump insisted that the detained workers were in the U.S. illegally and emphasized the importance of collaborating with other countries to ensure U.S. citizens are trained for specialized roles in industries like battery and computer manufacturing.}