Chartered Jet to Bring Detained Korean Workers Home From the US

(GEORGIA) Over 300 Korean nationals detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement after a raid at the Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site in Georgia are expected to depart on a chartered flight as early as Wednesday, pending final talks between American and South Korean officials. South Korea’s Foreign Ministry said it is working with U.S. authorities to arrange safe repatriation for those who choose to leave now, while ensuring that anyone who wants to pursue their immigration cases in the United States 🇺🇸 can do so without pressure to return.

As of Monday, September 8, 2025, the South Korean government reported that “over 300” Korean detained workers remained in custody. Roughly 250 detainees have already met with the Korean consul-general, according to the ministry. Officials emphasized that returns will be voluntary, not forced, and that the process aims to protect future entry rights to the U.S. for those who accept repatriation. The charter flight’s exact departure date depends on ongoing negotiations and the individual decisions of the workers.

Diplomatic push and policy signals

South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun flew to the U.S. Monday evening for talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, seeking fast release and return for those requesting it, as well as a path that does not damage their ability to enter the U.S. later. Cho told the National Assembly that the government is also pressing for faster professional visa issuance for Korean business affiliates connected to major industrial projects, including the Hyundai-LG battery plant, where the raid unfolded.

President Trump acknowledged the case and suggested the U.S. may allow foreign experts to enter temporarily to train American workers in complex manufacturing. He also said the incident would not harm U.S.–South Korea relations. While U.S. officials have signaled openness to such temporary entries, no formal policy change has been announced as of September 9, 2025. Korean officials and business leaders have long argued that the current visa landscape does not meet the needs of advanced manufacturing projects funded by Korean firms in the U.S.

The battery plant site has become a flashpoint for broader concerns about visa pathways for technical staff. Korean companies have invested heavily in clean energy and automotive supply chains across the United States, but access for specialized technicians remains tight. According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, this dispute reflects years of friction over how quickly the U.S. can issue visas for skilled foreign workers who are essential to getting new factories up and running on schedule.

What detainees can decide now

Officials on both sides say each person will make an individual choice: accept voluntary repatriation on the charter flight or stay to fight their immigration cases in the U.S. system. South Korean consular teams have been meeting with a large share of the detainees to explain options and help with logistics, including contacting families and employers.

Key options:
– Voluntary return
– Workers who leave now avoid a formal removal order, which can carry long entry bans.
– The South Korean government says it is negotiating to ensure voluntary returnees do not face future U.S. entry problems.
– Contesting removal
– Those who remain can pursue legal proceedings in the U.S.
– This may involve longer detention or timelines, but it can preserve options to re-enter later depending on outcomes.

Officials stress that support will continue for anyone who decides to remain in the United States to seek relief through the immigration courts. From the U.S. side, ICE is coordinating with South Korean counterparts on travel arrangements and custody processes.

For case-specific information:
– Use the official ICE Detainee Locator: https://locator.ice.gov
– Contact the ICE detainee information line
– The Foreign Ministry in Seoul and the Korean Consulate-General in Atlanta are also fielding calls and arranging consular access

Important: Returns are intended to be voluntary, not forced. Officials emphasize informed consent so no one is moved without clear agreement.

A test for industrial policy and mobility

The detention of workers at the Hyundai-LG battery plant underscores a core tension: the U.S. aims to expand domestic manufacturing capacity—especially in clean energy—while relying on specialized foreign technicians to transfer know-how during early build-out.

• Korean leaders argue visa backlogs and narrow categories make it difficult to bring in needed specialists on time.
• U.S. officials say they must enforce immigration law while weighing short-term training needs and long-term workforce goals.
• VisaVerge.com analysis frames this as years of friction over speed and flexibility in issuing visas for skilled foreign workers.

Immigration law experts note that voluntary departure is often preferable to a formal removal for protecting future entry eligibility. However, every case is unique—pending petitions, credible fear claims, or other defenses can change outcomes. The South Korean government’s pledge to limit future entry problems for voluntary returnees focuses on avoiding harsher consequences that follow a deportation order.

Human and business impacts

For families in Korea and Georgia employers tied to the Hyundai-LG project, the effects are immediate and tangible.

• Worker concerns:
  • Pay owed
  • Belongings left in employer housing
  • Risk of missing project deadlines affecting future contracts
• Employer concerns:
  • Schedule disruptions
  • Costs linked to delays in commissioning production lines
  • Training U.S. staff without needed technical teams

Inside detention, access to consular officers has been crucial. The Foreign Ministry says about 250 detainees have already spoken with the consul-general, with more meetings arranged. Lawyers and advocates stress maintaining clear records of who chooses voluntary repatriation and who opts to stay and fight their cases.

What to watch next

All eyes are on the meeting between Cho Hyun and Secretary Rubio, where both sides are expected to weigh policy fixes. Potential changes that could ease pressure include:

• Time-bound entry windows for foreign trainers tied to specific projects
• Faster visa processing for professional affiliates of industrial projects

However, no formal U.S. guidance has been issued yet. Korean officials say they will continue to press case by case to protect workers’ future entry options and to secure faster professional visa issuance for affiliate staff.

The timing of the charter flight remains fluid:
– Officials say as early as Wednesday is possible
– Final schedule depends on sign-offs from U.S. and South Korean agencies and individual detainee decisions
– Those who agree to voluntary repatriation will board under consular supervision, with travel documents and onward support coordinated by the South Korean government

For ongoing updates, families and employers should track official communications from:
– The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs
– The U.S. Department of State
– The Korean Consulate-General in Atlanta (main local point of contact)
– ICE for custody and transfer logistics

With negotiations still underway and emotions high, the choices these detained workers make could influence how future technical teams arrive to support major U.S. manufacturing projects, including the Hyundai-LG battery plant and other planned facilities.