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Construction Site of the Hyundai Motor–LG Energy Solution Battery Plant in the United States (Photo = Yonhap News) |
[Alpha Biz= Kim Jisun] Approximately 50 Korean workers who had returned home after being detained in a large-scale immigration raid in Georgia have re-entered the United States and returned to their worksites, according to foreign media reports.
ABC News reported on the 23rd that more than 100 of the 317 Korean workers previously detained have had their B-1 business visas reinstated. According to legal representatives for the workers, all individuals holding B-1 visas had their visas restored without needing to reapply, which they noted indicates that the workers had been legally present in the U.S. at the time of the incident.
The report also stated that around 200 Korean workers, who were detained during the September operation, are preparing to file a lawsuit against the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The planned suit will allege racial discrimination, human rights violations, excessive use of force, and unlawful detention.
In September, ICE raided the battery plant construction site and detained 475 workers on allegations of unauthorized employment, including 317 Koreans — 46 from LG Energy Solution, 204 from partner companies, and 67 from Hyundai Engineering subcontractors. They were held for seven days before being released on the 11th. Of the 317 Korean nationals, 316 returned to Korea immediately after their release.
Alphabiz Reporter Kim Jisun(stockmk2020@alphabiz.co.kr)
