US Immigration Raids Hyundai Factory In Georgia, White House: Foreign Workers Must Enter Legally

UNSPLASH/Osman Rana ILLUSTRATION

JAKARTA - The administration of US President Donald Trump will enforce a law requiring foreign workers to have valid permits to be in the United States.

This was conveyed by the White House after immigration officers raided the Hyundai facility in Georgia.

"Every foreign worker brought in for a specific project must enter the United States legally and with a valid work permit," said White House spokesman Abigail Jackson, quoted by Reuters on Saturday, September 6.

"President Trump will continue to fulfill his promise to make the United States the best place in the world to do business, while enforcing federal immigration law," he continued.

Hundreds of workers at the Hyundai Motor car battery factory under construction in Georgia, United States, were detained in a raid by US authorities.

The raids halted work at the factory, which is one of the main investments for the Korean automaker in the US.

Sekitar 475 pekerja, yang sebagian besar adalah warga negara Korea Selatan, ditangkap, menurut pejabat imigrasi AS. Ini menjadi operasi penegakan hukum satu lokasi terbesar dalam sejarah Departemen Keamanan Dalam Negeri AS (DHS).

Domestic Security officials said workers arrested at the Ellabell location, Georgia, were barred from working in the US after crossing the border illegally or exceeding the visa deadline.

The investigation lasted for several months, said Steven Schrank, the special agent in charge of the investigation for Georgia, in a press conference.

"This is not an immigration operation where agents enter the location, gather people, and put them on the bus," he said.

Schrank said there was a subcontractor network at that location.

A Hyundai Motor spokesman said no one was detained was hired directly by the car manufacturer.

The company said the manufacturing chief for North America, Chris Susock, would "take over all megasite governance in Georgia."

"We will carry out an investigation to ensure all suppliers and their subcontractors comply with all laws and regulations. Hyundai does not tolerate those who do not comply with the law," he said.