South Korean workers challenging U.S. government over Georgia raid
The more than 300 South Korean workers were detained in an immigration raid last year at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery manufacturing plant.
Over 300 South Korean workers detained during a U.S. immigration raid at a Hyundai electric vehicle battery plant in Georgia are now contesting the government's actions. According to CNN, administrative claims on behalf of the detained workers, primarily South Korean nationals, have been initiated with nine federal agencies following the raid in September.
These agencies include the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Customs and Border Protection, the FBI, the Departments of Justice and Labor.
A spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security clarified that the operation was part of an ongoing criminal investigation into alleged unlawful employment practices and other serious federal offenses. The spokesperson emphasized the importance of holding accountable those who violate the law while upholding the rule of law.
Hyundai, which operates the joint venture facility with South Korea's LG Energy Solution, has not yet provided a comment on the matter. The raid, considered the largest single-site enforcement operation in the Department of Homeland Security's history, left South Korean workers shackled and left their families in the dark until they were released. Workers' personal belongings, including their phones, were also seized, making communication with loved ones challenging during their detention.
Written by urgent.news from Japan Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
