After ICE in September raided a still-under-construction Georgia Hyundai plant – and arrested and deported tons of of South Korean workers – the automaker’s CEO, José Muñoz, stated he hoped for a decision that might convey essential foreign-worker experience again to the United States.
President Donald Trump on Monday agreed, saying he was “very much opposed” to the raid carried out by members of his administration.
“In fact, before they got out… I said they could stay… and they’re going to be coming back,” he stated. “When they come in, they’re making very complex machinery, equipment, things. They’re going to have to bring some people in, at least at that initial phase.”
Trump made his feedback on Air Force One whereas on his manner to Asia for a gathering with world leaders, together with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung, who has expressed concern about the raid. As a consequence, Lee stated he was skeptical about the way forward for South Korean funding in the United States.
On Friday, Lee advised Bloomberg that he understood lots of the workers didn’t need to return to the United States.
“This has also caused severe trauma for the workers as well and I have heard that some workers do not want to go back,” he stated. “Without taking measures to ensure the safety and rational treatment of these workers, there is a high possibility that factory construction in the US may be significantly postponed.”
But Lee stated he expects a take care of the US “in the not-too-distant future.”
The deported workers weren’t Hyundai workers however labored for its contractors and LG Energy Solutions, it’s South Korean companion in the plant. Muñoz stated whereas the workers shouldn’t have been right here with out the correct work visas, there wanted to be a change in US regulation to enable for the form of work. Muñoz additionally stated final month he anticipated a deal quickly between the international locations.
“What I’ve learned in the past couple of days and weeks is that activities in this particular battery factory that require a very specific expertise that is not in the country,” Muñoz advised NCS at a media roundtable in September. “I believe there needs to be a visa which is especially designed for these types of people that may need to enter the country five or six or six, seven times. Once the factory is finished, they don’t come back again.”
“I think both governments, South Korea and the US are working activity to try to ensure that situation like this don’t happen again,” Muñoz added.
Hyundai didn’t instantly reply to a request for touch upon Trump’s newest remarks.
The raid and deportation had stirred anger in South Korea and at his look earlier than buyers and journalists in New York, Muñoz apologized to the workers for what they went by way of with their arrests and deportations.