Severe ICE Raid Targets Workers on Visitor Visas at Hyundai Georgia Plant

Sat Sep 13 2025 11:57:53 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

A major immigration enforcement operation by ICE at a Hyundai factory in Georgia leads to the arrest of nearly 500 workers, predominantly South Korean nationals, alleged to be working on visitor visas.

In a significant immigration enforcement action, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 475 individuals, mostly South Korean nationals, at a Hyundai plant in Georgia. The agency stated that these individuals had been working illegally on visitor visas, while South Korean officials voiced concerns about the treatment of their citizens. The operation has sparked discussions about the intersection of immigration policy and international economic relations.

The recent raid by ICE at a Hyundai manufacturing plant in Georgia resulted in the detention of 475 workers, primarily from South Korea, who were allegedly violating the terms of their visitor visas. According to ICE, the operation was crucial for safeguarding American jobs and upholding the law regarding worker eligibility.

Officials clarified that visitors on short-term visas are not authorized to work in the U.S. and emphasized that this operation was part of an ongoing criminal investigation. Among those arrested, 300 individuals were reported to be Korean nationals, while the Hyundai Motor Company confirmed that none were directly employed by them.

Amidst concerns raised by South Korea regarding the rights of its citizens, statements from ICE mention that the crackdown underscores their stance towards illegal employment practices. The implications of this raid, particularly in light of the U.S.'s strained yet crucial relationship with South Korea, highlight the tensions between immigration enforcement and international economic partnerships.

President Trump defended the operation, stating that ICE was fulfilling its duty, although the arrests have garnered mixed reactions given the factory's significance as a development project in Georgia. Critics argue the operation could hinder foreign investment and disrupt diplomatic relations.

As the detainees await further processing, the situation continues to unfold with associated legal and diplomatic ramifications.