More than 300 South Korean workers, detained during an immigration raid in the United States, returned home on a charter flight on Friday, marking an emotional reunion with their families.
The workers were part of a larger group of 475 individuals apprehended on September 4 during an immigration enforcement operation at a battery factory under construction on the grounds of Hyundai’s expansive auto plant near Savannah, Georgia.
The incident has ignited public outrage in South Korea, particularly after U.S. authorities released video footage showing some Korean workers shackled with chains around their hands, ankles, and waists.
Upon their arrival at Incheon International Airport, near Seoul, the workers were greeted with applause from senior officials, including presidential chief of staff Kang Hoon-sik.
Hundreds of journalists were in attendance, alongside citizens who cheered, “Welcome back!” One worker, responding to the enthusiastic welcome, exclaimed, “I’m back! I’m free!” as he hurried toward the airport gates.
Demonstrators at the airport displayed a large banner featuring U.S. President Donald Trump alongside a critical message about U.S. immigration policies, but security intervened to remove the protester.
In response to privacy concerns raised by the workers, South Korea’s Foreign Ministry requested that media outlets blur their faces in coverage of the arrivals.
Some of the workers who spoke with reporters conveyed their shock at the unexpected nature of the raid, their distress at being handcuffed, and the difficult conditions they faced while in detention.
Jang Yeong-seon, one of the released workers, expressed disbelief at President Trump’s offer that allowed them to remain, stating, “No one would have really wanted to stay.”
Another worker, who preferred to remain anonymous, disclosed the discomfort of sharing a cramped room with a fellow detainee, noting that the toilet facilities were located close to where they ate and slept.
As the charter flight landed, families waited anxiously at a multi-level parking lot near the airport terminal, eager for their loved ones’ return. When the workers stepped out of the elevator, emotional reunions unfolded as relatives embraced them.
One brother, Hwang In-song, had been waiting for news and only received a text from his sibling late Thursday. He shared that the past week had been “the hardest time” for their family.
Choi Yeon-ju, a 64-year-old mother, expressed her shock and relief after her son’s detention, highlighting that he had finally called home to let them know he was okay but did not provide many details.
The South Korean government announced on Sunday that it reached an agreement with the U.S. regarding the release of the detained workers.
Although they had intended to bring the workers back on Thursday, that plan was delayed due to a decision made by President Trump, who wanted to consult with South Korea on whether the workers should remain in the U.S. to assist in training tasks or be sent back home.
Notably, one Korean national opted to stay in the U.S. due to family connections.
The battery factory in question is part of a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, and is one of over 20 major industrial projects involving South Korean investments in the United States.
At the airport, LG Energy Solution CEO Kim Dong Myung downplayed the possible repercussions of the raid, asserting that the disruptions would be manageable.
U.S. authorities clarified that some of the detained South Korean workers had illegally crossed the border, while others had overstayed their visas or entered on visa waivers that prohibited employment.
South Korean officials have expressed frustration with the U.S. response to their longstanding requests for improvements to the visa system for skilled workers, especially as Washington calls for increased industrial investment from Seoul.
Historically, South Korean companies have utilized short-term visitor visas or Electronic System for Travel Authorization to deploy workers necessary for launching manufacturing sites, a practice previously overlooked by enforcement agencies.
Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, who traveled to Washington for negotiations regarding the workers’ release, stated that U.S. officials had agreed to allow them to return later for their work tasks.
Additionally, the two nations have agreed to form a working group aimed at exploring strategies for simplifying the visa process for South Korean employees.
“We will discuss all measures, including the creation of a new visa category, setting quotas, and implementing various steps to facilitate visa acquisition, ” said Cho upon returning to South Korea.
Most of the detained South Koreans had used ESTA, with others on short-term B-1 or B-2 visas or L-1 visas.
President Lee Jae Myung warned on Thursday that without significant changes to the U.S. visa system, South Korean businesses might hesitate to make further investments in the U.S.
The raid is part of a broader pattern of workplace enforcement carried out in alignment with the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies.
The timing of the raid raised eyebrows, as it occurred shortly after a summit between Lee and President Trump and not long after South Korea announced a substantial $350 billion investment plan in the U.S.
This incident not only highlights the complexities within U.S. immigration enforcement but also serves as a stark reminder of the intricacies involved in international labor relations.
image source from：pbs
