South Korea to fly detained workers back as U.S. vows more raids on employers

South Korea is arranging to bring home about 300 of its nationals detained during a U.S. immigration raid in Georgia last week, a presidential official in Seoul said Sunday. Negotiations for their release have concluded, and a chartered plane will fly them back once processing is complete, likely on Wednesday according to the South Korean consul general in Washington.

The raid, carried out by U.S. federal agents at Hyundai’s car battery plant in Ellabell, Georgia, resulted in 475 arrests, including around 300 South Koreans, making it the largest single-site enforcement action in DHS history. The operation, conducted under a judicial warrant, targeted alleged unlawful employment practices.

Seoul expressed regret over the arrests and criticized the public release of footage showing workers shackled and detained. The incident shocked South Korea, as it came just days after a summit where the U.S. and South Korean presidents pledged closer business ties. Meanwhile, White House border czar Tom Homan vowed more workplace immigration raids, reflecting President Trump’s broader push to expand deportations and enforce immigration laws.

Credit: CGTN