Delayed Departure of Detained Korean Workers Tests U.S.–Korea Ties

(GEORGIA) The departure of hundreds of detained workers from a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Ellabell has been delayed, deepening uncertainty around the largest immigration raid in United States 🇺🇸 history.

On September 4, 2025, agents from US Homeland Security detained 475 workers, including more than 300 South Koreans, during an immigration raid that targeted suspected visa and employment violations at the fast-growing electric-vehicle battery complex. As of September 10, the detained workers remained in custody in Georgia, their planned flight home postponed amid continuing negotiations between US and South Korean officials and unresolved logistical hurdles.

South Korean consular teams have visited the Folkston detention center, where the detainees are held, and reported that the individuals are receiving medical care and are in stable condition. Video released by US authorities showing some detainees shackled at the wrists, ankles, and waists prompted anger across South Korea and raised concerns among civil society groups and business leaders involved in the country’s large manufacturing investments in the US.

The timing sharpened the sting: the operation unfolded days after a high-profile summit between President Lee Jae Myung and President Trump on August 25, and after Seoul announced plans tied to roughly $150 billion in US projects.

Voluntary departure vs. deportation

South Korean officials say they negotiated a path for the detained workers to leave through voluntary departure rather than formal deportation. That distinction matters:

• A deportation order can carry a multi-year bar on reentry—often up to 10 years—which would block skilled technicians from future travel to support ongoing projects.
• Voluntary departure, if completed as directed, typically avoids these harsh reentry bars, preserving the chance for future lawful visits or employment if a proper visa is secured.

According to officials in Seoul, the voluntary departure element of the deal is intact; the delays relate to approvals and the timing of the transfer from detention to the airport, not to a breakdown of the voluntary-departure plan itself.

A Korean Air Boeing 747-8i charter departed Incheon on September 10 to collect the detainees. The plane’s return to South Korea has been delayed due to what both sides describe as US-side issues tied to processing and final clearance. The current plan calls for workers to be transported by bus—about 285 miles from Folkston—to Atlanta, where they would board the flight. For now, the schedule remains uncertain, leaving families in South Korea anxious and supervisors at the construction site scrambling to assess the impact on timelines.

Detentions, conditions, and diplomacy

US officials say many of the detained workers were subcontractors, not direct Hyundai employees. That nuance matters in worksite enforcement cases, which often reach deep into layers of contractors and staffing firms.

The raid was sweeping in scope, with officers detaining hundreds across the site during a single operation. Footage of restraints used on some detainees drew sharp criticism in Seoul, where lawmakers from across the political spectrum described the images as degrading and out of step with the security and trade partnership between the two countries.

South Korea’s Foreign Ministry has pressed for a quick resolution and dispatched senior officials to Georgia and Washington. A planned trip by Seoul’s foreign minister aims to:

1. Secure a timetable for the workers’ return.
2. Open a broader discussion about reliable visa options for short-term technical support.

Diplomats have argued that the current patchwork of visas does not match the needs of modern industrial projects, where short, intensive rotations of skilled specialists are common during installation and commissioning phases.

US officials, for their part, have emphasized that companies—domestic and foreign—must follow immigration rules. President Trump has said Korean investments are welcome, but he expects all firms to comply with US law. He also signaled openness to considering adjustments for certain skilled roles, reflecting pressure from industry and state leaders who see large manufacturing sites as pillars of regional growth.

The Georgia project, backed by major auto supply-chain players, is touted as central to the state’s electric-vehicle strategy and a symbol of deepening industrial ties between the two countries.

Legal fault lines and policy shifts

The legal issues at the heart of this case are not new, but the Georgia operation marks a dramatic escalation in scale and enforcement posture. Many of the detained workers reportedly entered the US on Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) — Official Overview—the Electronic System for Travel Authorization under the Visa Waiver Program—or on B-1 business visitor visas.

• ESTA and B-1 allow short-term travel for meetings, training, or certain business-related tasks, but they do not allow employment or hands-on paid labor on a job site.
• In some cases, workers are believed to have overstayed or used entries in ways that crossed into unauthorized employment, while a subset may have entered without proper authorization at all.

Korean firms have long complained that long waits and limited visa categories make it hard to bring in the technicians needed for specialized assembly, testing, and calibration work. That pressure, several business representatives say, has pushed companies and subcontractors to rely on ESTA to move urgently needed personnel for short stints—despite ESTA’s prohibition on productive employment.

For reference, see the government’s Visa Waiver Program overview on the US Department of State website: Visa Waiver Program (ESTA) — Official Overview.

Policy changes have also shaped the landscape. The current administration intensified enforcement and directed immigration agencies to use every tool at their disposal. Critics say these moves have swept up many non-criminal workers and strained ties with key partners. Supporters argue that the law must apply evenly and that lax enforcement in the past encouraged misuse of travel programs.

Academic researchers tracking arrest data report that ICE arrests of Asians tripled from 2024 to 2025, with South Koreans increasingly caught up in actions aimed at worksite violations. The Georgia raid stands out not just for its size, but also for its focus on a major strategic project backed by a strong US ally.

Calls for a dedicated visa path

The case has widened debate over the need for a dedicated professional visa path tailored to short-term technical assignments. Korean business groups, including the Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, have urged both governments to back an “E-4” style category—a legal route for skilled foreign technicians to enter for time-limited work tied to industrial projects.

Current visa options and their limits:

• H-1B: requires specialty occupation and is capped.
• L-1: requires qualifying corporate relationship and often longer placement.
• B-1 / ESTA: limited, non-productive business activities only.

None of these cleanly fit a model where a factory under construction needs a dozen experts for two weeks to align battery cell lines or calibrate quality-control systems.

A senior executive involved in the Georgia buildout warned that without a lawful, reliable way to move specialized teams, schedules will slip and costs will rise. Project managers say many US sites are not yet staffed with enough local technicians experienced in the specific lines or robotic systems chosen by global manufacturers. They stress this is a short-term gap: the goal is to train local hires, but overseas expertise is often essential during build and ramp-up.

The raid has also spotlighted subcontractors. Many detained workers were reportedly employed by lower-tier firms hired by major contractors, rather than by Hyundai or LG directly. That structure can muddy accountability and complicate compliance. In fast-paced builds, staffing firms promise speed, and project managers—under pressure to hit milestones—may not vet visa status beyond surface-level checks. Enforcement actions like the one in Georgia are meant to change those incentives by sending a clear signal that shortcuts carry heavy risks.

Business fallout and next steps

Work at the Ellabell site has been disrupted. Some lines are paused; others operate with reduced teams. The project anchors broader plans for jobs and supplier networks across the Southeast’s EV supply chain.

Local and national impacts:

• Local officials worry a prolonged disruption could ripple through rural counties counting on the plant’s tax base and spinoff employment.
• Korean leaders fear the incident will sour public opinion at home about US-bound investments and raise insurance and compliance costs.
• Families face sudden loss of income and fear for detained relatives—many are mid-career technicians with skills in battery cell assembly, dry-room systems, or BMS calibration.

South Korea’s government has framed the episode as both a national embarrassment and a call to action. Officials are working to ensure each detained worker leaves under voluntary departure, preserving a path for possible lawful return. They also seek a framework to reduce the chance of a repeat incident by:

• Providing better guidance for companies on what assignments are allowed on B-1 or ESTA.
• Offering clearer training for subcontractors.
• Renewing the push for an appropriate work visa track for short-term specialists.

US agencies are moving ahead with cases and processing. Voluntary departure must be agreed and executed under set conditions. If a detainee fails to depart as instructed, a removal order can follow, usually triggering bars on reentry. Processing hundreds of cases is time-consuming, especially when officials must coordinate with consulates, arrange secure transport across the state, and line up charter flights. This explains the lag between the September 4 detentions and any mass departure.

The continued delay of the charter flight has stoked frustration.

Practical short-term steps (on paper)

The steps to get the workers home are straightforward on paper:

1. Finalize voluntary departure instructions for each worker.
2. Complete release and handover from the Folkston facility.
3. Transport the group by bus to Atlanta under supervision (approx. 285 miles).
4. Board the Korean Air 747-8i with consular staff on hand.

Each step requires coordination, signatures, and security routines—and is vulnerable to delay if a single case presents complications (missing documents, medical needs, or eligibility questions). Multiply that by hundreds, and the risk of last-minute setbacks grows.

Policy debate and possible reforms

Analysts and industry groups expect the Georgia operation to push both governments to revisit policies for skilled industrial labor. Industry advocates press for a narrow, enforceable visa route with:

• Strict employer obligations.
• Clear wage rules.
• Tracking to prevent misuse.

They argue this would protect US workers by ensuring transparent hiring while giving companies a legal way to bring in specialists for defined, short bursts. Labor groups want strong safeguards to ensure foreign workers are not underpaid or placed in unsafe conditions by aggressive subcontractors.

Politics are delicate: the administration’s enforcement drive appeals to voters who want tighter border control, while state leaders have courted large Asian manufacturers with incentives and promises of smooth project delivery. The Ellabell raid makes the clash between enforcement and rapid industrial buildouts impossible to ignore.

Practical recommendations to reduce future risk

For ongoing projects in Georgia and beyond, practical steps include:

• Companies should audit contractor chains to ensure every worker on site has proper authorization for the exact tasks performed.
• Prime contractors should require written attestations from staffing firms, backed by copies of travel and visa records. Conduct random on-site checks.
• Consular planning should begin months ahead for foreseen technical work, with clear job descriptions and schedules that match visa rules.
• Workers should receive plain-language briefings on permitted and prohibited activities under each status.

Community groups in Georgia have stepped in to offer translation help, legal triage, and support for families. Religious organizations and local nonprofits near Folkston report a steady stream of calls from relatives seeking information. South Korea’s consulate in Atlanta has circulated contact points for emergency assistance and encouraged families to gather documents needed for travel arrangements.

Restraints, optics, and diplomacy

The use of restraints has become a high-profile issue. US officials say policies allow restraints when moving large groups for safety and to prevent escape. Critics counter that the images damage the bilateral relationship and humiliate people whose alleged violations are civil rather than criminal in nature. Diplomats on both sides privately acknowledge the optics matter: even standard procedures can carry heavy diplomatic costs when mass shackling involves citizens of a close ally.

Despite sharp rhetoric, both governments appear keen to defuse the standoff. US officials have signaled that once paperwork is complete, the group can depart without deportation orders. South Korea has said it will cooperate to avoid delays and will work with companies to improve compliance on future projects.

Wider implications

Industry observers note Georgia is not an outlier in competing for global supply-chain investment. Across the Southeast, states have lined up incentives to lure battery plants, chip factories, and auto suppliers. The larger the footprint, the more likely companies will need short waves of foreign specialists during setup.

If the two governments carve out a narrow, lawful path for this kind of work, the lesson could be productive: clear rules, clear compliance, and clear consequences. If not, the Ellabell case may become a template for future sweeps, with all the disruption that implies.

Human consequences and next steps for stakeholders

• Many detainees worry about lost wages and reputational harm. Even with voluntary departure, some may face tougher visa reviews later.
• Employers may need to explain internal controls and training to persuade consulates that future travel will follow the rules.
• South Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has urged nationals to contact the Consulate General in Atlanta or use the ministry’s emergency hotline.
• Industry groups recommend a full review of subcontractor practices and tighter oversight of travel and assignments.
• Consular staff advise workers to cooperate with instructions tied to voluntary departure so they can leave as scheduled and protect any chance of future lawful travel.

“The episode marks a turning point.” Both governments, companies, and communities now face a choice: build a tailored, enforceable system that prevents detention and keeps projects on track—or accept that similar disruptions may recur.

Until then, the detained workers wait. Their buses have not rolled. The jet remains in a holding pattern. And a region that pinned part of its economic future on a single sprawling complex must now reckon with how immigration policy can ripple through concrete, steel, schedules, and lives.

When the Korean Air 747-8i finally lifts off, it will carry hundreds of stories—of confusion, stress, and plans interrupted. It will also carry a warning to every project manager and subcontractor in Georgia and beyond: immigration rules are not a formality. They shape what skilled visitors can and cannot do on a US job site.