"Arresting 300 Koreans Could Cost Thousands of U.S. Jobs"…Foreign Media Slam Trump Administration's Self-Defeating Move

WP: "Contradictions in Trump’s Policies Exposed"
"Negative Impact on Korea-U.S. Economic Cooperation"

After an incident in which approximately 300 Korean workers were detained at the construction site of the Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution battery plant in Georgia, criticism has erupted locally that the Trump administration's "manufacturing revival" policy is clashing with its "tough immigration crackdown." There are also warnings that this incident could threaten thousands of potential jobs in the United States.

U.S. immigration enforcement authorities released a video on their official website showing an illegal residency and employment crackdown conducted on the 4th (local time) at the construction site of the joint battery factory of Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Georgia. Video capture from the ICE website

On September 10 (local time), The Washington Post reported, "President Trump claimed that the arrest of 300 Koreans was to protect workers in Georgia, but experts warn that this could put thousands of U.S. manufacturing jobs at risk." Immigration and manufacturing experts pointed out that this incident exposes loopholes in the U.S. immigration system by blocking the inflow of skilled workers essential for building advanced manufacturing facilities.

Giovanni Peri, an economics professor at the University of California, Davis, stated, "Incidents like this will make many companies much more cautious when deciding to invest in the United States." He criticized, "The administration is now blocking the very factories it tried to attract with tariff policies, because companies fear they won't be able to bring in the necessary workforce."

Ellen Hughes-Cromwick, former Chief Global Economist at Ford Motor Company, emphasized that constructing an electric vehicle battery plant requires far more complex electrical and mechanical processes than a traditional automobile assembly plant. She said, "Most American workers have not been trained to handle these specialized industrial systems," adding, "It's absurd to think that U.S. manufacturing can be revived without foreign workers being part of the workforce."

Charles Kuck, attorney for the employees of the subcontractors who were arrested, said, "The United States invited Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution here because it has no experience building this type of battery itself." He added, "To build a factory, you need not only the machinery but also the technicians who can install and operate it." He stressed, "You can't just invite companies and then tell them to figure it out on their own."

This crackdown is also expected to have a negative impact on economic cooperation between South Korea and the United States. The Washington Post highlighted that ongoing tariff negotiations between the two countries are at a sensitive stage, and that South Korea has announced a $350 billion investment plan in the U.S. in exchange for reciprocal tariff reductions. The incident has reportedly raised concerns among Korean companies and government officials about operating businesses in the U.S.

Tami Overby, former Vice President for Asia at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, pointed out, "The Trump administration is sending a confusing message," and noted that "it has had a chilling effect on Asian companies' willingness to invest in the United States."

There has also been strong criticism from the U.S. political community. Democratic lawmakers from the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) and Democratic members of the Georgia House of Representatives issued a joint statement condemning the Trump administration for "targeting working immigrants instead of violent criminals to meet large deportation goals." The statement, signed by 20 lawmakers including Korean American representatives Andy Kim (New Jersey) and Dave Min (California), expressed deep concern.

As a result of this incident, the $7.6 billion Hyundai Motor Group battery plant project now faces an uncertain future. John Lettieri, President of the Economic Innovation Group (EIG), criticized, "President Trump is suffering because of aides who want to stage excessive crackdowns." He added, "They fail to distinguish between enforcement theatrics and the value of deepening relationships with companies and countries making massive investments in our economy."