Korean Workers Describe Anxiety After US Immigration Raid as Military Operation

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1. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — mentioned in body (multiple times).
2. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to better grasp detention and removal processes and find contact channels (uscis_resource) — explicit sentence recommending official resources.
3. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (form) — mentioned as a “form” in detection list (only once).

Now, I will add up to 5 verified .gov links, linking only the first mention of each resource name in the article body text and using the exact resource name as it appears.

(Replaced only the first in-body occurrence of each eligible resource with a link to the appropriate .gov page. No other text or formatting was changed.)

South Korean workers caught in a recent U.S. immigration raid arrived in Seoul on Friday, describing the enforcement sweep as “like a military operation” that unfolded without warning and led to rapid detentions and removals. The workers, who landed in the South Korean capital on September 12, 2025, recounted heavily coordinated actions by U.S. officers, fast processing, and quick flights out—often within about two days, according to early accounts shared in broadcast interviews from East Asia Tonight.

Witnesses said the immigration raid targeted workplaces and unfolded at speed, with officers moving in formation, separating staff, and checking documents under intense pressure. Several detainees reported confusion about the reason for their arrest and limited access to legal help or consular services before deportation. With many families and employers now unsure about next steps, the episode has sparked fresh debate in both countries over how to balance enforcement with basic rights for foreign workers.

The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs has acknowledged the case and said consular teams are assisting returnees while seeking details from U.S. counterparts. Officials in Seoul said they are working to confirm detainee counts, secure clearer timelines, and ensure South Korean citizens’ due process rights are respected going forward. The United States 🇺🇸 has not released a detailed statement about the rationale or targeting criteria. As of the past 24 hours, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) had not provided new public guidance on this specific operation.

Immediate fallout in Seoul

Families who gathered at the airport described fear and disbelief after loved ones were swept up with minimal notice. Some workers said they did not have enough time to call an attorney or notify relatives. Others reported that translation support was uneven during questioning.

People returning to Seoul spoke of losing personal belongings, paychecks, and work records in the rush. Officials in Seoul said consular officers are now helping with emergency documentation and referrals for counseling.

Employers on both sides of the Pacific face disruptions, especially in sectors with large foreign-born workforces. Advocacy groups urged quick help for families left behind in the United States and called for stepped-up legal aid in future enforcement waves.

“Like a military operation” — a common description from returning workers of how the raid was executed: fast, highly coordinated, and with little warning.

What we know so far

• The immigration raid occurred within the past few days, with affected South Korean workers returning to Seoul on September 12, 2025.
• Early reports point to several dozen individuals affected, though exact figures have not been released.
• Witnesses described the action as a “military operation,” with a large officer presence, rapid detentions, and little prior notice.
• Many detainees said they were processed and deported within about 48 hours.
• Access to legal counsel and consular services was reported as limited during detention.

Nationwide in 2025, ICE workplace actions are reportedly up about 15 percent compared with last year, with attention on industries known to employ many foreign nationals. That broader enforcement posture is the context for this case, which has drawn attention in South Korea because of its speed and scope.

VisaVerge.com reports that Korean civil society groups plan to press for clearer rules on detention timelines and better notification procedures so families and counsel can respond in real time.

Policy backdrop and rights concerns

In 2024, U.S. officials announced tougher enforcement against visa overstays and unauthorized employment, with more funding for operations rolling out this year. Supporters argue these steps protect the job market and ensure that rules are applied fairly to everyone. Critics say mass actions can sweep up people with valid claims or unresolved status and can mute access to counsel.

Typical workplace enforcement follows this pattern:
1. Officials identify target sites based on tips or audits.
2. Teams conduct unannounced checks.
3. Suspected violations lead to detention and fast processing.
4. Removal follows for those found out of status.

Lawyers say the tight clock in such cases can make it hard to gather records, contact employers, or prepare defenses. The speed is exactly what returning workers in Seoul described—movement, sorting, and flights booked within days.

South Korean officials said they have asked for clarity on how consular notice was handled and when detainees were allowed to speak with representatives. Advocacy groups in Seoul argue that even in a firm enforcement climate, basic safeguards should hold, such as:

• Clear explanations in a language the worker understands
• Quick access to legal counsel
• Prompt consular notification

U.S. officials, while defending enforcement, maintain that their teams act within law and policy.

Human and community impact

For families split across borders, the human cost is immediate:
– Parents described missing children’s school events and losing household income overnight.
– Small businesses worry about payrolls and deadlines.
– Returnees face job gaps, housing needs, and possible bans that could block near-term travel back to the United States.

Community groups in Seoul are organizing short-term support, including:
– Help replacing documents
– Locating withheld wages
– Referrals for counseling and legal aid

Legal aid groups in both countries are setting up hotlines to document cases from this raid and to map common problems such as missed medication, language barriers, or lost property during transfer.

Diplomatic response and next steps

The South Korean government is expected to raise the case with Washington and push for better coordination in future actions. Analysts say Seoul may request:
– Faster consular notification
– Clearer, written explanations provided at the point of detention
– Assurances that workers can contact counsel and consular staff promptly, even in fast-moving cases

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said it stands ready to assist nationals and has encouraged returnees to report their experiences so the government can engage with U.S. counterparts more effectively. Officials added they are monitoring for any further flights of deportees tied to the same operation and will coordinate with families as updates come in.

Practical advice for families and workers

People with relatives in the United States asked a practical question: What happens next if there are more raids? Attorneys suggest preparing key records so they are reachable off-site:

• Passport copies
• I-94 travel history
• Job letters
• Proof of lawful status

Families can also set up phone trees and shared contact lists in case a loved one is detained without a personal phone. While these steps cannot stop an enforcement action, they can help reduce delays in finding counsel and contacting consular teams.

Those concerned about rights during enforcement can review official resources from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to better grasp detention and removal processes and find contact channels:

• https://www.ice.gov

Key takeaways

• Immediate help and longer-term diplomatic talks are moving in parallel: emergency assistance for those already home in Seoul, and diplomatic negotiation to set clearer guardrails for the future.
• Returning workers described the raid as fast, coordinated, and disorienting—with limited access to counsel and consular services.
• Seoul is pressing for clearer procedures and faster notifications to protect due process rights for its nationals in future enforcement actions.

For the people who stepped off planes this week, the memory of a “military operation” will linger. For their families and colleagues still in the United States, the urgent question is whether better notice, translation, and access to counsel can make the next sudden knock at a workplace door less chaotic—and more fair—than what they experienced this week.