Aboard Air Force One to Japan
"This measure is for the entire world"
President Donald Trump of the United States announced on the 27th (local time) that he is working to improve the system to facilitate the entry of foreign corporate experts who are building factories in the U.S., in order to prevent a recurrence of the large-scale arrest and detention of Korean workers by U.S. immigration authorities in Georgia.
President Trump, speaking to reporters aboard Air Force One en route from Malaysia to Japan, said, "This measure is not only for Korea, but for the entire world."
He explained, "Foreign companies need to bring their own personnel to the United States for a certain period to produce complex and sophisticated equipment," adding, "They will train our workforce." He further emphasized, "These factories manufacture highly advanced machinery and equipment, so in the early stages, it is necessary to bring in some of their own workers."
Regarding the Georgia incident, he said, "It was a battery issue," noting, "Batteries are extremely complex and very dangerous to manufacture. You can't just bring in anyone and say you've opened a two-billion-dollar battery plant."
On the issue of the residency status of foreign workers entering the country, he stated, "We are devising an entirely new plan," and added that this system "will be gradually phased out over time."
However, he did not disclose specific details regarding the system improvements.
Previously, on the 4th of last month, U.S. immigration authorities raided the Hyundai Motor-LG Energy Solution battery plant and classified 475 people, including about 300 Koreans, as illegal immigrants, arresting and detaining them. About 300 Korean workers were released and returned to Korea after seven days. This incident has led to criticism that, while the U.S. government demands large-scale investments from foreign companies, it does not issue enough visas for the personnel needed to construct these factories.
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