Government and companies discuss expanding B1 visas, 317 Korean workers were arrested and detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Hyundai Motor Company and LG Energy Solution battery plant construction site in Georgia, USA. This incident is expected to delay construction by at least two to three months.
More than Half Entered Using ESTA
According to data submitted to Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jeong-ae from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Hyundai Engineering, and LG Energy Solution, 170 (53%) of the detained Koreans entered the country using the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) and worked.
146 held B1 or B2 visas, and only one held an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
"Since employees of partner companies cannot obtain expatriate visas, they are forced to resort to 'illegal work' using ESTA or B1 visas."
— Democratic Party lawmaker Han Jeong-ae
Read more: South Korean workers detained in US Hyundai raid to be flown home
Paid Leave and Psychological Counseling Support for Returnees
LG Energy Solution announced on the 14th that it will provide approximately 200 of its employees and partner company employees who returned to Korea with paid leave for approximately one month, including the Chuseok holiday, and support health checkups and psychological counseling programs. The company will also fully cover the costs of any additional testing.
Hyundai Engineering also agreed to provide transportation home and psychological support.
"We will spare no effort in supporting those who returned to Korea to ensure a stable return to work."
—Kim Dong-myung, CEO of LG Energy Solution
Businesses and Government: "Need to Discuss Expanding B1 Visas"
Both Hyundai Engineering and LG Energy Solution have revealed that many of their subcontractors are working on ESTA and B1 visas, making them vulnerable to crackdowns.
One lawmaker urged, "We need to expand the issuance of short-term commercial B1 visas and discuss with the United States guaranteeing engineers' factory construction activities."
Trump: "We Will Not Discourage Foreign Investment"
US President Donald Trump allayed concerns about a decline in investment on social media on the 14th (local time), stating, "We welcome foreign companies and their employees."
"We want experts from foreign companies to work in the United States for a period of time to teach and train our citizens."
—US President Donald Trump
US media and the South Korean government also expressed concerns.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) criticized ICE's raids, saying, "They could discourage foreign investment." The New York Times (NYT) noted, "Stricter visa requirements have made it more difficult and expensive to attract skilled workers."
President Lee Jae-myung also warned, "If visas are not issued, direct investment in the United States will be significantly impacted."
Sources: Money Today, Hankyoreh Newspaper, NYT, WSJ
