A leaked internal document reveals that at least one South Korean worker arrested during last week’s massive U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai battery factory in Georgia was legally present in the country. Despite holding a valid visa, the worker was “mandated” to accept voluntary departure, raising serious concerns over the legality of the detention and the broader handling of the operation.
Details of the Raid
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested nearly 500 workers at the Hyundai construction site in Ellabell, Georgia, part of a $12.6 billion investment in electric vehicle battery production. The majority of those detained were South Korean nationals. The raid forced construction to halt and has strained diplomatic ties, with Seoul pledging support for its citizens. Sources suggest that around 300 detainees could be deported to South Korea within days.
Legal Worker Detained
The internal file, written by a Homeland Security Investigations agent, confirms that one detainee entered the U.S. on a valid B1/B2 visa and had not violated its terms. Nevertheless, ICE directed him to accept voluntary departure. Immigration attorney Charles Kuck described the case as “an actual crime” committed by the government, pointing out that detaining someone without legal cause amounts to unlawful imprisonment. DHS disputed this, stating the worker admitted to unauthorized employment, though the leaked document contradicts that claim.
Reactions and Implications
Legal experts warn that forcing visa holders into voluntary departure could have lasting consequences, including loss of visa status and future entry bans. Critics argue that ICE may be inflating arrest numbers or masking errors. The South Korean government, which has recently expanded investments in the U.S., expressed anger over the treatment of its nationals. Advocacy groups stressed that the workers, many of whom came legally, were left vulnerable by the raid and the subsequent pressure to leave.
The Hyundai raid underscores growing tensions between U.S. immigration enforcement practices and international labor projects. The revelation that legal visa holders may have been unlawfully detained raises serious questions about oversight and accountability, as well as the future of U.S.-South Korea industrial cooperation.
