President Donald Trump insists foreign workers are ‘welcome’ days after hundreds of South Koreans were arrested in Georgia. The arrest at a Hyundai-LG electric vehicle battery plant drew international concern. Trump emphasized on Truth Social that he aims to attract skilled foreign workers without discouraging investment. He said their expertise is vital for building complex products like chips and semiconductors, which the U.S. needs to relearn and master. The Georgia raid, involving about 475 mostly South Korean workers, was the largest immigration operation since Trump’s crackdown began. Although the workers were not deported, images of them chained and handcuffed sparked alarm in South Korea. Seoul repatriated the workers on Friday, with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung calling the raid “bewildering” and warning it could hurt future investment. Trump’s comments come amid ongoing debates over immigration and foreign expertise in U.S. industry. The incident underscores the tension between immigration enforcement and economic needs, especially in high-tech sectors.
- Trump emphasizes welcoming foreign workers in US
- Georgia raid involved arrest of South Korean workers
- ICE alleged visa overstays and permit violations
- South Korea warns raid may deter investment
- Trump advocates learning from foreign expertise
- Korea’s trade unions demand Trump’s apology
On September 15, 2025, Trump stated that the U.S. should welcome foreign experts to help build advanced products. About 475 South Koreans were detained in Georgia for overstaying visas or holding permits that barred manual labor. The raid, the largest since Trump’s immigration crackdown, caused international concern. Seoul repatriated the workers after images of their chains circulated widely. South Korean President Lee called the raid “bewildering” and warned it might discourage future investment. Trump emphasized that skilled foreign workers are essential for mastering complex industries like semiconductors and ships. He expressed a desire to learn from these experts and compete better globally. Korea’s trade unions have demanded an official apology from Trump. The incident highlights ongoing debates over immigration policies and economic growth strategies in the U.S.
- Repatriate the detained South Korean workers to ease diplomatic tensions.
- Clarify U.S. immigration policies to balance enforcement and economic needs.
- Engage with South Korean officials to repair diplomatic relations.
- Promote policies that attract skilled foreign workers without legal issues.
This incident underscores the importance of balancing immigration enforcement with economic growth strategies, especially in high-tech industries.
Moving forward, the U.S. may need to adjust its immigration approach to support industry needs while maintaining legal standards.
