vide screenshot

 

In a dramatic ICE raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, nearly 500 employees have been detained, marking the largest operation of its kind during President Donald Trump's second term. The majority of those held are Korean nationals, sparking international tension.

 

A sweeping operation at Hyundai’s 3,000-acre facility, known for producing electric vehicles, led to the detention of 475 workers. This has raised concerns in South Korea, which expressed "concern and regret" and called on the US to respect its citizens' rights.

 

The Department of Homeland Security said the raid followed a "multi-month criminal investigation" into unlawful employment practices. Steve Schrank, from Homeland Security Investigations, emphasised that it was not an immigration sweep but a targeted enforcement action.

 

This incident highlights a potential clash between strengthening US manufacturing and cracking down on illegal immigration. President Trump defended the operation, stating ICE was simply enforcing the law. He acknowledged, "They were illegal aliens," while also noting the importance of a stable workforce.

 

Hyundai asserts that the company did not directly employ those detained. While production was unaffected, its South Korean partner, LG Energy Solutions, halted some construction activities. The company is closely examining the situation.

 

South Korea dispatched diplomats to Georgia and contacted the US Embassy in Seoul, urging care in handling its citizens' rights. The foreign ministry emphasised safeguarding economic activities and citizens' interests amid US law enforcement actions, according to the BBC.

 

Georgia's Governor, Brian Kemp, had heralded Hyundai's electric vehicle venture as a landmark project, which employed around 1,200 people. Yet, the raid reflects Trump's broader immigration strategy, which seeks to deport those living in the US illegally.

 

With South Korean firms pledging substantial investments in the US, this operation underscores a delicate balance between enforcing immigration laws and maintaining international business relations.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from BBC 2025-09-06

 

 

With ICE arresting and deporting so many workers, it is surprising that US employment and job vacancies data are so "strong".

No doubt we'll be hearing all of those South Koreans taken by ICE are Jopok members. Probably tatted, too. Will they be deported to Venezuela or Uganda?

 

Maybe the whistleblower was Trump's lover Kim Jong-un?

 

No better way to firm up international relations and alliances than upsetting Seoul.

It will be interesting once the smoke (theater clears)how many actually were working illegally and how many were leagle to work in the US.

Go after the employers and this will stop

1 hour ago, JimHuaHin said:

With ICE arresting and deporting so many workers, it is surprising that US employment and job vacancies data are so "strong".

You're being sarcastic, thats OK then. Reality is the employment graph is going top left to bottom right since January. The trend is not your friend.

After reading ‘Alternate’ news sources it appears the detained workers were construction workers employed by sub-contractors engaged in the construction of a new battery assembly plant. 
 

According to Hyundai, none of the detained workers. (Including a reported 300 South Koreans  were directly employed by Hyundai, nor were they working in the EV assembly plant. 
 

This type of illegal employment is typically specifically banned in the contracts between the developer (Hyundai and the General

Contractor) and host agencies (The state of Georgia, USA etc). 
 

cheers 

————————

hopefully it is permitted to provide the supporting links. 😅

 

https://apnews.com/article/us-south-korea-ice-raid-georgia-hyundai-9394482c195664d7cc3db67ae998ac05#
 

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj6xe5d6103o

Grok fact:

There is significant evidence of widespread racial profiling, with many immigrants of color, particularly those who appear Latino, being swept up in ICE raids and detention, often with little to no criminal records.

 

Among the Koreans arrested were employees from partner firms who were in the U.S. on business trips.

 

Most are believed to have entered the U.S. on short-term business visas, or through the Visa Waiver Program or the Electronic System for Travel Authorization. Immigration authorities appear to have initially determined that their presence at the site constituted "activities inconsistent with the purpose of their stay," prompting the arrests.

 

https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/foreignaffairs/20250905/seoul-voices-regret-after-300-koreans-detained-in-us-immigration-raid-at-hyundai-lg-plant

 

 

I suspect all of these South Koreans entered the U.S. 'legally', arriving by air (ICN-ATL direct, non-stop on KE or DL).

 

Can't see South Koreans being trafficked or wading across the Rio Grande.

 

However, they may not have had the proper work authorization, especially if staying longer than the ~ 30 days.

 

This could have been handled more 'diplomatically' given the investment/commitment South Korea and Hyundai have made to Georgia and the U.S.

 

But no, ICE has to show how 'powerful' they are. 

 

The usual trump admin incompetence.

 

 

 

25 minutes ago, novacova said:

As usual, you lefties always get everything turned around. The simple fact is the left is historically the party of racism,

kkk: left.

Communism, authors of modern day racism: left.

Race baiting which is the epitome of racism: left. 
You're not even aware of your disposition, truly disgraceful.

 

Don't forget George Wallace:

 

George Wallace (born August 25, 1919, Clio, Alabama, U.S.—died September 13, 1998, Montgomery, Alabama) was an American Democratic politician who was a four-time governor of Alabama (1963–67, 1971–79, and 1983–87) and who led the South’s fight against federally ordered racial integration in the 1960s.

 

Source:  Brittanica.

 

10 minutes ago, bamnutsak said:

This could have been handled more 'diplomatically' given the investment/commitment South Korea and Hyundai have made to Georgia and the U.S.

 

But no, ICE has to show how 'powerful' they are. 

 

The usual trump admin incompetence.

 

Maybe.  But can you think of a better message for illegals still thinking about slipping into (or working now) in the USA? 

 

Self deportation is the most cost effective for taxpayers.  No muss, no fuss, no $100K legal cases...  Dollars to donut holes that self deportations increase after each story like this.

 

Keeping his campaign promises...

 

I keep seeing the word 'detained.'  I don't see the words 'legally detained,' nor do I see the word 'arrested.'

 

Perhaps there were 2-3 illegals working there. Perhaps not. That doesn't stop ICE from 'detaining' anyone not white enough to pass muster.

 

Mass roundups that MAGAs love... reminds me of the pogroms in Europe not so long ago.  Would YOU have been the one to call the Stormtroopers on Ann Frank?

Tell me, MAGA... When is the next Kristallnacht?
(It's possible that most MAGAs never heard of Kristallnacht, as history doesn't seem to be their strong suit, nor education in general, for that matter!)

3 hours ago, Wingate said:

No doubt we'll be hearing all of those South Koreans taken by ICE are Jopok members. Probably tatted, too. Will they be deported to Venezuela or Uganda?

 

Maybe the whistleblower was Trump's lover Kim Jong-un?

 

No better way to firm up international relations and alliances than upsetting Seoul.

What a ridiculous comment. According to reports I have seen the majority were in the US illegally or working illegally. As for the article itself taken from the "trusted" source the BBC it fails to mention that this raid involved federal, state and local agencies. 

1 hour ago, bamnutsak said:

However, they may not have had the proper work authorization, especially if staying longer than the ~ 30 days.

 

This could have been handled more 'diplomatically' given the investment/commitment South Korea and Hyundai have made to Georgia and the U.S.

The South Korean government responded to the detentions of many of their nationals in a statement Friday.

 

“In the course of U.S. law enforcement, the economic activities of our investment firms and the rights and interests of our nationals must not be unjustly infringed upon," said Lee Jae-woong, a spokesperson for South Korea's foreign ministry. "We conveyed our concern and regret to the U.S. Embassy today and urged them to take special care to ensure that the legitimate rights and interests of our nationals are not violated.”

 

Jae-woong added that an on-site task force will be established in Georgia with the help of the South Korean consulate in Atlanta.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/hundreds-south-korean-nationals-detained-largest-single-site-immigrati-rcna229312

 

 

 

 

That's the prison, right. 

1 hour ago, impulse said:

 

Don't forget George Wallace:

 

George Wallace (born August 25, 1919, Clio, Alabama, U.S.—died September 13, 1998, Montgomery, Alabama) was an American Democratic politician who was a four-time governor of Alabama (1963–67, 1971–79, and 1983–87) and who led the South’s fight against federally ordered racial integration in the 1960s.

 

Source:  Brittanica.

 

…let’s not forget Hillary Clinton who stated that the late senator Robert Byrd who was the leader of a KKK group, was her mentor. The left is The Party of Hate, certifiably so and they’re always trying to cover their tracks by rewriting history and accusing others of what they are themselves, complete filth.

1 hour ago, impulse said:

Maybe.  But can you think of a better message for illegals still thinking about slipping into (or working now) in the USA? 

 

 

Look, I get it, MAGA feels scared, weak, impotent and the idea of ICE riding into town gets you tumescent.

 

When all you have is a hammer (ICE), every problem looks like a nail. ICE isn't the solution for every single problem, and I suggested this could have been handled differently.

 

The public will turn on the current incarnation of ICE. Other than a few MAGA faithful, most dislike the idea of masked vigilantes roaming our streets. If they're going to wear masks, just go full hood.

 

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/ezKTvivVwcg

 

 

 

 

Well done Trump!

 

Please keep up your good work.

Maybe Trump will say we'll release all of your Korean illegals for 10% of the company.

3 hours ago, impulse said:

 

Maybe.  But can you think of a better message for illegals still thinking about slipping into (or working now) in the USA? 

Self deportation is the most cost effective for taxpayers.  No muss, no fuss, no $100K legal cases...  Dollars to donut holes that self deportations increase after each story like this.

Keeping his campaign promises...

 

Keeping his campaign promises?

Cost of living, Manufacturing jobs, Unemployment, Medicaid, Ukraine, Epstein — Promises made. Promises betrayed.

2 hours ago, dinsdale said:

What a ridiculous comment. According to reports I have seen the majority were in the US illegally or working illegally. 

The majority?

So what's the reason for detaining the ones that are NOT in the US illegally? What's the reason for denying the other Due Process under the law?

The US Constitution guarantees them that, but it is being denied.
Please do not use the word 'legal' for these procedures.  There is nothing 'legal' about them. There is only brute force, intimidation, and subjugation.

3 minutes ago, FolkGuitar said:

The majority?

So what's the reason for detaining the ones that are NOT in the US illegally? What's the reason for denying the other Due Process under the law?

The US Constitution guarantees them that, but it is being denied.
Please do not use the word 'legal' for these procedures.  There is nothing 'legal' about them. There is only brute force, intimidation, and subjugation.

From what I've seen no charges have been laid. I guess due process is happening. Due process is of course a typical left talking point even when people being deported have been through the due process but remain in the US illegally. Fact is being in a country illegally is illegal. Please argue agasinst this.

21 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

From what I've seen no charges have been laid. I guess due process is happening. Due process is of course a typical left talking point even when people being deported have been through the due process but remain in the US illegally. Fact is being in a country illegally is illegal. Please argue agasinst this.

Fact is being in a country ‘illegally’ is only illegal once a judge says so. Until then, it’s just a political scientist’s opinion pretending to be law — and due process decides the difference.

36 minutes ago, dinsdale said:

From what I've seen no charges have been laid. I guess due process is happening. Due process is of course a typical left talking point even when people being deported have been through the due process but remain in the US illegally. Fact is being in a country illegally is illegal. Please argue agasinst this.

Thanks for the opportunity.

The argument is in Constitutional Law.

The Constitution of the United States of America guarantees due process to everyone in the country. Not just people here legally.  It makes no distinctions.

 

And no, men, women, and even children, being dragged out of schools, homes, businesses, and off the streets, without legal warrants to do so, is NOT Due Process under Law.

Let them buy Teslas! (paraphrasing Marie Antoinette)

1 hour ago, dinsdale said:

From what I've seen no charges have been laid. I guess due process is happening. Due process is of course a typical left talking point even when people being deported have been through the due process but remain in the US illegally. Fact is being in a country illegally is illegal. Please argue agasinst this.

Due Process is NOT part of ICE Agenda. Their Remit is Pick 'em up, Pack 'em in, Hide 'em and Deport 'em before anyone finds out where they are. No space for Due Process, it's counter- productive to Trump's Mission. Racism on Steroids

Oh wait! Wasn't this plant the kind of foreign investment MAGAs were bragging about? 🤣

40 minutes ago, Heavy Metal said:

Due Process is NOT part of ICE Agenda. Their Remit is Pick 'em up, Pack 'em in, Hide 'em and Deport 'em before anyone finds out where they are. No space for Due Process, it's counter- productive to Trump's Mission. Racism on Steroids

Trump's "mission" is to get all illegals out. Long way to go. Be much easier if the sanctuary citiy mayors allowed the feds to do their job rather than obstucting them. Playing the racism card is ridiculous. People are in the country illegally. This has nothing to do with race.

17 minutes ago, candide said:

Oh wait! Wasn't this plant the kind of foreign investment MAGAs were bragging about? 🤣

I think you'll find Biden pumped money into this plant. Seems like the workforce were not legal.

Just as people were thinking things could hardly get any worse.

Despicable behaviour by the mèn in masks.

What next???