President Trump addressed foreign worker concerns through a Truth Social statement on Sunday, following mass arrests at a Georgia construction site. Immigration officials detained 475 people, primarily South Korean nationals, during a September 4 raid at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery facility. Authorities claimed the workers violated visa terms or lacked proper employment authorization.
The operation represented the largest workplace enforcement action under Trump's current immigration policies. Officials chose not to pursue deportations despite the arrests. Photos showing detained workers in restraints sparked significant concern throughout South Korea.
Seoul facilitated worker repatriation by Friday as President Lee Jae Myung criticized the enforcement action. Trump defended the need for foreign expertise in manufacturing complex technologies like semiconductors and computer systems. Korean labor organizations have demanded a formal presidential apology for the incident.
The operation represented the largest workplace enforcement action under Trump's current immigration policies. Officials chose not to pursue deportations despite the arrests. Photos showing detained workers in restraints sparked significant concern throughout South Korea.
Seoul facilitated worker repatriation by Friday as President Lee Jae Myung criticized the enforcement action. Trump defended the need for foreign expertise in manufacturing complex technologies like semiconductors and computer systems. Korean labor organizations have demanded a formal presidential apology for the incident.
