Detainee says ICE mocked nationality with ‘Rocket Man’ nickname

(GEORGIA) U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement carried out a large-scale ICE raid at a Hyundai-LG battery plant construction site on September 4, 2025, detaining about 475 workers, including 317 South Korean nationals, according to people involved and officials. The operation, conducted in eastern Georgia, has drawn sharp criticism after detainees described poor conditions and taunts, including references to “North Korea” and “Rocket Man,” the nickname President Trump once used for North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. South Korea’s government has raised human rights concerns, and company officials warn of delays at the project.

Workers held after the raid reported overcrowded rooms, moldy mattresses, and a lack of basic hygiene items. Several said the comments from some agents caused real stress and fear. Others described confusion about their legal options and how long they would be held. Attorneys representing detainees said many were released only after signing “voluntary departure” paperwork and were flown back to South Korea within days.

The Hyundai-LG battery plant is one of the highest-profile foreign investment projects in the state, and the raid’s fallout could slow its startup by at least two to three months, according to people familiar with the site’s schedule. The incident also raises questions about how the United States 🇺🇸 can enforce immigration rules while encouraging global companies to build in American communities.

Official responses and early diplomacy

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung called the raid “bewildering” and warned it could discourage future projects by South Korean firms. Seoul has started a review of possible human rights violations and is speaking with U.S. officials about the handling of the detainees. The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs urged fair treatment and requested full details of the operation and detention conditions. For consular help, the ministry directs families and workers to its official portal at www.mofa.go.kr.

Washington has acknowledged the diplomatic strains. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau expressed regret over the detentions and said the government is working with South Korea to address concerns raised by the ICE raid. President Trump, reacting to reports about the incident, said he supports foreign workers and does not want to scare off investment by global manufacturers. There has been no direct statement from President Biden about this specific raid as of mid-September, but the administration has been engaged in discussions with South Korean officials.

ICE said the operation was part of a broader enforcement push targeting suspected document fraud and unauthorized employment at large worksites. The agency has not publicly addressed the mocking remarks reported by several detainees. ICE detention and removal policies, and guidance for employers and workers, are posted on the agency’s official site at www.ice.gov.

Human impact and business fallout

Interviews with workers and advocates point to three immediate effects:

1. Detainees’ well-being
   • Many released workers returned to South Korea after signing departure paperwork.
   • Several said they are reluctant to come back to the United States because of detention conditions and the stress they endured.
   • Some reported worries about medical access while in custody and pressure to sign documents quickly to secure release.
2. Project delays
   • The Hyundai-LG battery plant faces at least two to three months of delays, which could affect supply chains linked to U.S. electric vehicle production.
   • Delays may ripple through timelines for related manufacturing and vendor schedules.
3. Investment risk
   • South Korean firms have pledged more than $150 billion for U.S. manufacturing in recent years.
   • Executives are now reassessing exposure after the raid; some may change deployment strategies or locations.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, global companies weigh immigration enforcement patterns when they pick plant locations, staff them, and schedule vendor teams that often include specialized foreign technicians. If these workers fear detention or poor treatment, companies may:

• Slow deployments
• Build larger legal and compliance teams
• Shift some work elsewhere

Labor attorneys note the incident highlights uneven knowledge at worksites about immigration categories and employer obligations. Many construction projects rely on layers of contractors and staffing companies, which can complicate verification of worker status and training. When enforcement escalates from audits to arrests, workers—regardless of nationality—face fast-moving decisions with high stakes.

Rights groups argue the reported mockery—especially references to “Rocket Man” and North Korea—can create a hostile environment that undermines fair treatment. They are urging both governments to review whether ICE’s tactics met international standards for humane treatment and due process. Advocates also want clearer access to interpreters and legal counsel when large groups are detained at once.

No specific policy changes have been announced in response to the Georgia raid as of September 16, 2025. However, diplomats from both countries are exploring ways to prevent repeat episodes, including:

• Better advance communication between agencies
• Clearer guidelines on detention conditions for foreign nationals

The broader policy tension is clear: the United States wants to expand domestic manufacturing, including batteries, while also enforcing immigration laws. Business groups warn that aggressive worksite operations can spook key investors and delay urgent projects tied to supply chains and clean energy goals. Enforcement backers counter that worksite actions deter document fraud, protect U.S. jobs, and maintain a level playing field.

Practical and legal responses

Workers caught in the middle describe a more basic fear—being held in conditions they see as unsafe or humiliating, without clear information in their language about what comes next. Several South Korean detainees told advocates they worried about medical access during detention and felt pressure to sign papers quickly to get out.

Legal teams advise affected workers who remain in the United States to:

• Keep copies of all papers they signed
• Attend any scheduled check-ins
• Contact counsel immediately if they fear missing a deadline

Employers at large worksites are reviewing vendor agreements, worker verification processes, and training for supervisors on how to respond if agents arrive without warning.

Experts suggest practical steps that could lower risks on all sides:

• Clearer, multilingual notices to workers on their rights and obligations during worksite checks
• Better access to interpreters and legal help while in custody
• Advance liaison channels so foreign consulates can quickly confirm the status of large groups

South Korean investors are asking for assurances that their skilled teams can travel and work without sudden disruptions. If assurances do not come, some may:

• Redirect future projects
• Stage work in shorter rotations (slowing buildout)
• Add extra compliance checks, insurance coverage, and crisis plans (raising project costs)

Ongoing concerns and next steps

Even as Washington and Seoul talk, families are still sorting out the aftermath. Some workers returned home with pay disputes unresolved. Others fear future visa hurdles after signing departure forms. Human rights advocates are urging ICE to release more details about the Georgia operation and to investigate the reported taunts.

“Whether that promise holds may depend on what changes follow this raid—and whether future actions avoid the scenes detainees described this month at a Georgia construction site.”

Officials in both countries say they want strong economic ties. The outcome will likely hinge on diplomatic follow-up, any operational reforms, and assurances that protect both enforcement objectives and the business climate for foreign investors.