September 24th, 2025 - ‘America Is Not Safe to Work’: Koreans Share Their Experience of Georgia Raid

A group of South Korean engineers, highly skilled and experienced in constructing factories around the world, found themselves caught in a dramatic confrontation with U.S. authorities earlier this month. These workers, including Park Sun-kyu, Kim Min-su, and Nate Cho, were helping build a Hyundai electric car factory in Georgia, a project that had been hailed as a major step in revitalizing American manufacturing. However, their mission came to an abrupt halt on September 4 when U.S. agents raided the facility, detaining hundreds of them under suspicious circumstances.

The workers were held in detention for a week, enduring harsh conditions and facing accusations of violating their visa terms. Despite their contributions to the local economy—creating jobs and assisting in the construction of a critical infrastructure project—their arrest raised questions about the disconnect between U.S. immigration policy and the needs of businesses operating in the country. These engineers had entered the U.S. on short-term visas, like B-1 and ESTA, to help with specialized tasks, but their legal status was now under scrutiny.

The raid and subsequent detentions shocked many in South Korea, a key U.S. ally with a long history of cooperation. South Korean companies like Hyundai have played a vital role in American manufacturing, but this operation highlighted the difficulties that arise when there aren't enough skilled American workers to meet the demand. Despite the need for foreign expertise, immigration restrictions and changing policies have complicated the situation for businesses reliant on international talent.

South Korean diplomats spent days negotiating to bring the workers home, as they had been detained under questionable legal grounds. The workers themselves, having lived through the stressful ordeal, expressed frustration and disillusionment. Many of them, like Mr. Park, who suffered from insomnia due to the experience, voiced a deep sense of betrayal. "America is not a safe place to work," he said, reflecting the harsh impact the raid had on their perception of the U.S.

While the workers were eventually repatriated, their experience has left lingering concerns about the treatment of foreign workers and the U.S.'s approach to immigration enforcement. The U.S. government, under the Trump administration, has made significant moves to tighten immigration and visa policies, which, in this case, led to the detention of workers who were contributing to an important economic project. As the workers returned to South Korea, they continued to grapple with the emotional and professional fallout from their unexpected and traumatic ordeal.

Despite the resolution, the controversy has further strained the relationship between the U.S. and South Korea, revealing the complexities of balancing immigration policies with the practical needs of economic development. For the workers, the experience has had a lasting effect, and while some are willing to return to complete their work, others remain uncertain about future opportunities in the U.S., questioning whether they would ever risk such an ordeal again.

Word of the Day (Merriam-Webster) - Brandish (verb, BRAN-dish) - To brandish something, such as a weapon, is to wave or swing it in a threatening or excited manner.

Example: Squeals of laughter erupted as three children brandishing squirt guns rounded the corner of the house.

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