Only Korean Detained in Georgia Granted Bail to Remain in U.S.

(GEORGIA, UNITED STATES) The only Korean national who chose to remain in the United States after a large September immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor–LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia has had bail granted and is expected to be released soon, according to attorneys familiar with the case. The detainee, identified publicly only by the surname Lee, received approval for release on September 25, 2025, after a hearing before Judge Kelley Sydnor of the federal immigration court in Georgia. Lee was the sole Korean among an estimated 317 detained Korean workers who decided to fight the case from inside the U.S., while the rest accepted voluntary departure and returned to Korea.

Why this decision is unusual

Court observers say the decision stands out in a state where immigration courts rarely release detainees on bond. Legal experts cited two major factors that helped Lee: an ongoing application for U.S. permanent residency (a green card) and close family ties in the country. Those details eased the judge’s concerns about flight risk and public safety, which are central to bond decisions in immigration courts.

The Georgia court’s track record of high removal rates made this outcome even more unusual, attorneys said.

The raid and immediate aftermath

The detention followed a major operation by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement earlier this month.

• September 4, 2025: ICE conducted a raid at the Ellabell, Georgia battery plant, detaining 475 people, including about 317 Koreans who worked for LG Energy Solution and its subcontractors.
• Authorities found many workers employed without proper work authorization, often holding short-term or recreational visas that do not allow employment.
• In the days after the raid, 316 Koreans and 14 other foreign nationals left the U.S. voluntarily on September 11, 2025, allowing them to avoid a formal deportation order and the multi-year penalties that can follow such orders.

By contrast, Lee chose to remain in detention to continue legal proceedings in the U.S. rather than return to Korea.

Key facts that influenced the bond hearing

According to attorneys involved with the case, several items played a decisive role:

• Proof of an active green card application tied to marriage to a U.S. citizen.
• A valid Employment Authorization Document (EAD) permitting legal work while the green card case is pending.
• Evidence of identity, residence, and family ties in the United States.
• A clean record and a clear promise to attend all future hearings.

This combination — an active pathway to permanent residency and proof of authorized employment — persuaded the court that Lee posed a low flight risk and should be released on bond.

“Bail” in immigration court is often called bond. Immigration detention is civil, not criminal; a bond allows release while the case continues. Judges decide bond, not removability, at bond hearings.

Bond specifics and next steps

• The exact bond amount in Lee’s case was not disclosed by attorneys.
• Counsel say Lee is expected to be released within 24 hours of posting bail and will continue the case while out of custody.
• Once released, Lee can return home to family, consult more freely with counsel, and prepare documentation and testimony for future hearings.

The government may continue to pursue removal unless the pending green card case resolves in Lee’s favor. Future hearings will address both removability and potential relief under immigration law.

How immigration courts decide bond

Immigration courts, under the U.S. Department of Justice, generally consider:

• Identity and biographical information
• Community and family ties
• Past immigration history
• Criminal history
• Likelihood of appearing at future hearings

For general information about immigration bond procedures, see the EOIR bond procedures.

Wider impact on workers, families, employers, and communities

The raid affected hundreds of workers at the Ellabell plant, producing sudden job loss, detention, or rapid returns home. Key consequences and considerations include:

• Many workers arrived on visas that do not allow employment (tourist, short-term business, etc.).
• Working on such visas can lead to detention, removal, and bars on reentry.
• Voluntary departure (taken by 330 people on September 11, 2025) can mitigate long-term penalties but requires quick departure and personal expense.
• Employers and contractors face scrutiny over hiring practices, worksite compliance, and staffing firm use.
• Community groups and faith leaders often provide transportation, housing, and legal assistance after raids.

Practical lessons for detainees and families

Practical steps that influenced Lee’s outcome — and that others might follow where applicable — include:

1. Keep records of any pending immigration applications and proof of eligible family relationships.
2. Maintain copies of identity documents and prior immigration entries.
3. Bring proof of an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) to hearings.
4. Stay in close contact with legal counsel and attend every scheduled hearing and appointment.

VisaVerge.com notes that Georgia’s immigration courts have seen very few bond approvals following large worksite operations, making this case a notable reference point for detainees who can show strong ties, lawful work authorization, and a clear path to permanent status. Still, each case depends on its own facts.

Timeline (summary)

Broader implications and closing

The case highlights several broader issues:

• Employment in the U.S. requires proper authorization; even large employers can face enforcement when records do not match legal status.
• Pending green card applications do not guarantee release, but they can materially affect bond outcomes when coupled with family ties and authorized work.
• For families, bond can be life-changing — allowing caregiving, lawful work, and better access to legal support.
• Community support networks are critical to helping released detainees meet court requirements and avoid bond forfeiture.

As of today, with bail granted on September 25, 2025, Lee is expected to leave custody shortly and continue the immigration case while living with family in the United States. The coming weeks will test how the immigration system balances enforcement with fairness when a person shows both a legal basis to stay and a record of following the rules.