Trump: Welcoming Foreign Experts to Train Americans After Korean Raid

First, the detected linkable resources in order of appearance (per your list and article body):

1. Form I-129 (petition for a nonimmigrant worker)
2. Form DS-160 (online nonimmigrant visa application)
3. Form I-129 (form) — same resource as #1 (already counted)
4. Form DS-160 (form) — same resource as #2 (already counted)
5. Form I-129 (petition for a nonimmigrant worker) with USCIS — same as #1

Per the rules, only the first mention of each resource in the article body will be linked, up to a maximum of 5 links. The two distinct resources are Form I-129 and Form DS-160. I have added official .gov links (USCIS and Department of State) to the first mentions of those exact resource names and preserved all existing content and formatting.

Updated article with only the specified government resource links added:

(GEORGIA, UNITED STATES) President Trump on Sunday said the United States will welcome foreign experts to train American workers in advanced manufacturing, a sharp turn that followed a week of South Korean outrage over an ICE raid in Georgia that detained hundreds of visiting technicians. The statement came after the September 4 ICE raid at the Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America in Ellabell, where agents detained about 475 workers, including more than 300 South Korean nationals, on suspicion of visa violations.

The incident delayed the plant’s opening by 2–3 months, rattled a key U.S. alliance, and raised questions about whether strict enforcement is now clashing with the administration’s economic goals.

Trump’s public message and White House caveats

In a long Truth Social post on September 15, Trump said he wants foreign companies “to bring their people of expertise for a period of time to teach and train our people” on complex products such as chips, semiconductors, and ships—then send those experts home.

He added: “I don’t want to frighten off or disincentivize Investment into America. We welcome them, we welcome their employees.” The message—“Trump welcomes foreign experts”—appeared aimed at calming investors after the ICE raid in Georgia triggered blowback in Seoul and drew global attention.

The White House stressed any such workers must follow the law. “Any foreign workers brought in for specific projects must enter the United States legally and with proper work authorizations,” spokeswoman Abigail Jackson said. “President Trump will continue delivering on his promise to make the United States the best place in the world to do business, while also enforcing federal immigration laws.”

Key takeaway: The administration is signaling openness to temporary foreign trainers, but only under proper legal authorization.

Fallout from the Georgia raid

The September 4 operation—described by officials as the largest single-site immigration enforcement action in U.S. history—involved federal and state officers detaining workers at an under-construction EV battery facility. That facility is a $7.6 billion Hyundai–LG joint venture expected to create 8,500 jobs.

Authorities alleged many detainees held statuses—like business visitor entries—that don’t allow hands-on work. South Korean officials and company representatives countered that many of those workers were specialized engineers and installers who came to assemble equipment and train U.S. hires on a tight timeline.

Between September 10 and 14, Seoul chartered a Korean Air flight to repatriate 316 of its nationals; only one reportedly chose to stay due to family ties. The arrests sparked protests and a wave of South Korean outrage, while industrial groups warned of chilling effects across 22 other Korean-invested factory sites in the U.S.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the raid sent a warning to multinationals: compliance mistakes can derail multi-billion-dollar projects and disrupt supply chains just as facilities ramp up.

U.S. officials moved to contain the damage. South Korean media reported that Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau visited Seoul and “conveyed his deep regrets” over the arrests. Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said Hyundai bore responsibility for visa planning and should have asked the administration for help. The mixed messages fed uncertainty among investors who heard tough enforcement on one hand and an open door to foreign trainers on the other.

Visa options and legal limits

Trump’s post acknowledged a simple reality: the U.S. needs outside know-how to meet its own goals. Hyundai alone plans $26 billion in U.S. auto and battery investments, and South Korea’s President Lee Jae Myung warned the raid could dampen new commitments.

Yet as of September 15, 2025, there is no new visa category for temporary foreign experts. Companies must work within existing channels—each with limits:

• B-1 (business visitor): permits meetings and some training, but no hands-on work or production.
• H-1B (specialty occupation): requires a job offer in a specialty field and is subject to quotas; petitioned via Form I-129 (petition for a nonimmigrant worker) with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
• L-1 (intracompany transfer): for managers, executives, or specialized-knowledge staff employed by a related foreign entity.
• O-1 (extraordinary ability): for top experts with proven acclaim.

For petition-based visas, typical steps include:

1. Employer files Form I-129 (petition for a nonimmigrant worker).
2. Once petition-approved, the applicant completes Form DS-160 with the Department of State.
3. Applicant attends a consular interview and completes visa issuance.

Helpful official resources:
– Form I-129 (USCIS petition for nonimmigrant workers)
– Form DS-160 (online nonimmigrant visa application)

Companies should expect site visits and audits, especially after a high-profile ICE raid like the one in Georgia.

Practical guidance for employers

The administration’s challenge is to keep both prongs—enforcement and investment—on track. For companies, the legal and operational lessons are clear. Before flying in specialists, firms should:

• Map job duties to an appropriate visa from the start—avoid business visitor entries for hands-on tasks.
• Prepare documentation that shows training goals, duration, and the plan to transfer knowledge to U.S. teams.
• Budget time for petition approvals, consular processing, and potential delays.
• Coordinate closely with immigration counsel and anticipate possible site audits.

Human, diplomatic, and industry impacts

For the affected workers, the human cost has been heavy. Many reported being shackled and detained, then flown home with little warning. Families were split, local crews were left waiting, and the project timeline slipped. Labor advocates warn that aggressive actions can sweep up people who believed their assignments were lawful, especially when duties blur the line between permitted training and restricted work.

Trade and security stakes also loom large. The alliance with South Korea underpins supply chains for EVs, batteries, and chipmaking equipment. A single misstep can ripple across multiple states and industries.

Industry groups say clearer guidance would help. Without a formal “temporary foreign expertise” program, companies face uneven interpretations at ports of entry and surprise audits at job sites. A tailored directive—defining who qualifies as a trainer, what tasks are allowed, and how long stays can last—could reduce uncertainty. For now, employers must rely on careful case-by-case filings and close coordination with counsel.

Diplomatically, Washington has moved to repair the damage. Expressions of regret, plus the public pitch for knowledge transfer, may slow the slide in investor confidence. But the memory of the ICE raid in Georgia—and the speed of repatriations—will linger in Seoul. If future worksite actions target similar projects, South Korean outrage could return, with real costs for U.S. jobs and timelines.

What to watch next

• Whether Hyundai and LG fly back specialized crews under petition-based visas.
• How quickly the Ellabell site restarts and the extent of the 2–3 month delay.
• Whether the administration issues written guidance that aligns with the President’s public tone.

Until then, global employers will weigh the promise of U.S. markets against the risk that an early-morning enforcement action could halt a project overnight.