Trump Urges Foreign Companies to Obey Laws, Train US Workers After Hyundai Raid

President Donald Trump on Sept. 7 urged foreign companies to respect immigration laws and suggested that they train U.S. workers after a raid at Hyundai’s Georgia plant led to the arrest of South Korean nationals accused of staying in the country illegally.

About 475 workers, most of whom were South Korean nationals, were detained during the Sept. 4 raid at a car battery plant jointly operated by South Korean companies Hyundai and LG Energy Solution in Georgia.

In a Truth Social post, Trump said that the raid was part of a broader immigration enforcement operation and implored foreign companies to respect the nation’s regulations when it comes to hiring.

“Your Investments are welcome, and we encourage you to LEGALLY bring your very smart people, with great technical talent, to build World Class products, and we will make it quickly and legally possible for you to do so,” he said. “What we ask in return is that you hire and train American Workers.”

Speaking to reporters at Joint Base Andrews, Trump said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was right to detain the South Korean workers at the Hyundai facility “because they were here illegally.”

Trump said the government will look into the possibility of allowing foreign experts into the country to help train U.S. workers while suggesting that the arrests had no impact on U.S.–South Korea ties.

South Korea’s government chartered a plane to bring home the detained workers following negotiations with U.S. officials over their release, according to Yonhap News Agency. South Korea’s consul general in Washington, Cho Ki-joong, told reporters that the plane is expected to depart for the United States on Sept. 10 to pick up the detained workers, the South Korean news agency reported.

Those arrested in the raid were “working illegally, in violation of the terms of their visas and/or statuses,” according to ICE. The agency explained that people on short-term or recreational visas are not permitted to work in the country.

One green card holder from Mexico was arrested after authorities found the worker was removable “based on multiple criminal convictions,” including narcotic and firearm possession and theft, ICE stated, noting that the probe is ongoing and more arrests may occur.

LG Energy Solution stated that construction at the Georgia facility was temporarily halted and that it was cooperating with law enforcement. The company stated that it has asked employees to return from U.S. business trips while suspending travel to the United States, except for customer meetings.

Hyundai stated in an update that it would investigate its suppliers and their subcontractors to ensure that they comply with regulations.

The plant is being built by HL-GA Battery Co., a joint venture between Hyundai and LG Energy Solution, at Hyundai’s existing electric vehicle assembly metaplant in Georgia. The plant is expected to produce batteries for Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis electric vehicles. It is part of Hyundai’s broader $12.6 billion investment in Georgia.

Austin Alonzo contributed to this report.