The United States authorities detained about 475 workers, including over 300 South Koreans, in a raid on a Hyundai car battery plant under construction in Georgia on September 4. South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun voiced concern while U.S. President Donald Trump said, "ICE was doing right because they were here illegally."

They will be returned to South Korea on a chartered flight as early as September 10, an official announced on September 7. Consular staff are currently confirming with each of the detained individuals their intention to leave the country voluntarily.