Trump Warns Foreign Firms After Mass Arrest of South Korean Workers at Hyundai-LG Plant

President Donald Trump has cautioned multinational companies to respect U.S. immigration laws following the arrest of hundreds of South Korean workers at a Hyundai–LG battery plant construction site in Georgia.

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The Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid, carried out last Thursday, led to the detention of over 470 workers, in what officials described as the largest single-site immigration operation under Trump’s administration. Most of the detainees were South Korean nationals, with a few from other countries.

Trump, in a social media post on Sunday, emphasized that while foreign investment remains welcome, companies must comply with U.S. labor and immigration regulations.

“Your investments are welcome, and we encourage you to legally bring your very smart people,” Trump wrote. “But we ask in return that you hire and train American workers.”

The raid has created diplomatic strain between Washington and Seoul, coming just weeks after South Korea pledged $350 billion in U.S. investments during a high-profile economic cooperation deal.

South Korea’s government said on Sunday that it had negotiated the release of around 300 workers, who will be flown home on a chartered flight. LG Energy Solution confirmed that 47 of its direct employees were among those detained, while Hyundai stated that none of its staff were affected.

The U.S. administration has vowed to intensify workplace enforcement, insisting that companies must avoid illegal hiring practices. Trump, however, acknowledged the challenge posed by domestic skill shortages, suggesting that limited avenues for bringing in foreign specialists legally could be considered.

Despite assurances, the crackdown has unsettled investors, raising questions about the future of South Korea’s largest U.S. manufacturing project a $4.3 billion battery plant central to America’s push for electric vehicle production.