Georgia Governor: "This Is Not Just Hyundai's Problem... Visa System Needs Review"
An economic official from the state of Georgia, United States, stated that internal discussions are underway on ways to enable the Korean workers, who were detained for a week and then deported after being arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution joint battery plant construction site, to return to the United States.
Trip Tollison, President and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, said in an interview with the local outlet Savannah Morning News (SMN) on the 17th (local time), "It is extremely important for the Korean workers to return," adding, "They are the only people who can install the equipment and teach battery cell technology to the employees at the Hyundai plant."
Philip Riner, spokesperson for the Economic Development Authority, also commented, "The LG employees who were detained had temporarily visited the United States for equipment installation, support, and staff training," adding, "They are highly skilled technicians with specialized expertise."
The Savannah Economic Development Authority is a private organization, but it works closely with the Georgia state government to promote regional economic growth. In particular, it has been actively recruiting companies in advanced manufacturing and logistics/port industries, such as the Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution joint battery plant.
Tollison, who was in Nashville, Tennessee, at the time of the immigration enforcement action, said he was surprised by the scale of the operation and that he had no prior knowledge of the raid. He added, "The Korean workers who came to install the battery equipment possess delicate talents. I fully understand their disappointment," and continued, "There is no country in the world with such unique technology that only certain people can install. We are relying on the Koreans."
Tollison revealed that he and Pat Wilson, Commissioner of the Georgia Department of Economic Development, met with Hyundai Motor management in Detroit last week. He explained, "They (Hyundai management) were equally shocked and surprised. Pat Wilson and I pledged to support Hyundai for the completion of the project and had many discussions about bringing the Korean workers back." He further stated, "This incident is only a minor setback. I have no doubt they will return soon and on schedule." However, Tollison did not disclose any specific progress regarding the timeline for the workers' return.
Given the shock experienced by the more than 300 detained workers and the Korean public, there are predictions that it will be difficult for the workers to return before solutions, including visa issues, are put in place. Previously, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp stated at the groundbreaking ceremony for the Rivian electric vehicle plant the previous day, "This is not just Hyundai's problem; many companies nationwide have experienced the same issue. There is a lot of confusion about what is actually happening on the ground," and emphasized, "There is a need to completely review the U.S. visa system."
He added, "Many foreign companies have been watching and are well aware of the visa issues on site," and stated, "This incident will not discourage foreign investment in Georgia." This was Governor Kemp's first public comment on the matter since the immigration enforcement action on the 4th.
Additionally, Chris Clark, President and CEO of the Georgia Chamber of Commerce, expressed a similar position. He said, "There has been a consistent call for reforming the U.S. visa program for Korean, Japanese, and German workers who come to build factories," emphasizing, "They train Americans and bring special expertise to Georgia. In the long run, this will benefit Georgia's workers."
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