South Korea And U.S. Strike Deal To Release Korean Citizens Detained In Historic Immigration Raid At Hyundai’s Georgia Plant

South Korea and the U.S. reached a deal to release Korean citizens detained in last week’s immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor plant in Georgia, according to The Wall Street Journal. The raid, the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in U.S. history, detained 475 people, including about 300 South Koreans working for Hyundai and LG Energy subcontractors. U.S. authorities said those arrested had crossed the border illegally, overstayed visas, or worked while on visa waivers. Border czar Tom Homan said workplace raids will increase to secure the border, arguing employers hire undocumented workers to cut costs and undercut American labor. A South Korean official said most detained nationals held B-1 training visas and were working as instructors. Seoul said it will review visa statuses with companies to reduce legal risks for Korean workers sent to U.S. investment projects. Hyundai is expanding its U.S. presence with Georgia’s largest-ever manufacturing investment and has pledged an additional $26 billion since Trump took office.