News Summary
Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is pursuing a meeting with Hyundai Motor executives in Seoul following a significant immigration raid at the company’s battery plant. The raid led to the detention of over 300 Korean workers, raising concerns over future investments and visa policies. This planned trip reflects Kemp’s commitment to fostering relationships with foreign investors despite the complications arising from the raid. The situation has heightened scrutiny on Hyundai’s operations in Georgia amidst ongoing discussions about the state’s immigration policies and their implications for international business.
Atlanta, Georgia – Georgia Governor Brian Kemp is seeking a meeting with Hyundai Motor executives in Seoul following a U.S. immigration raid at the company’s joint battery plant in the state. The raid, which occurred on September 4, 2025, resulted in the detention of over 300 Korean workers out of a total of 475 detained at the construction site of the Hyundai-LG joint battery plant.
Kemp’s office expressed his intent to meet with Hyundai officials in emails sent on September 8, just four days after the raid. This planned trip will mark the governor’s third visit to Korea in his tenure. Although the visit to Korea has been under discussion prior to the immigration incidents, it comes amidst heightened scrutiny of Hyundai’s operations following the detentions.
Kemp is expected to attend a Southern governors’ conference in Japan on October 28-29, during which time he might also visit Korea. Trip Tollison, president and CEO of the Savannah Economic Development Authority, will accompany the Georgia delegation and stressed the urgency of ensuring the timely return of those detained back to Korea. He pointed out that the specialized technology used for the construction of the battery plant necessitates the presence of trained personnel from South Korea.
Despite the serious implications of the raid, Gov. Kemp has attempted to mitigate concerns, asserting that the visa issue involves broader implications beyond Hyundai alone, with ongoing constructive discussions with other companies in Georgia. Experts within the industry suggest that the state has significant interests in protecting and fostering Hyundai-supported investments, particularly amidst uncertainties surrounding visa policies.
As of now, Hyundai’s headquarters in Seoul has not yet confirmed whether its executives will meet with Governor Kemp during his trip. During an event in New York known as Hyundai Motor Company’s CEO Investor Day, the President and CEO of Hyundai called for the creation of special visas for foreign specialists working at U.S. facilities. Furthermore, there are fears that the immigration raid could cause a three-month delay in the planned opening of the battery plant.
Hyundai has significant plans for investment in Georgia, with a commitment of $2.7 billion in a second phase that is expected to generate approximately 3,000 jobs. Following the immigration raid, 316 Korean nationals were sent back to Korea on a chartered flight, while one individual decided to stay behind to pursue legal action regarding the situation.
The immigration raid at Hyundai was notable as it marked the first U.S. operation of its kind at a site run by a foreign entity. Kemp’s administration emphasizes foreign investment as a core component of its economic agenda, frequently engaging in international travel to attract businesses to the state. Despite the raid, Kemp maintains that this event will not adversely affect future foreign investments in Georgia.
Kemp’s immigration policy has drawn mixed reactions; he has taken a tough stance on immigration in the past while concurrently seeking to facilitate foreign investment. The fallout from the immigration raid has also raised alarms in South Korea regarding the impact on U.S.-Korea relations, particularly concerning Hyundai’s extensive business interests in the United States.
The Georgia governor’s office has stated that no state or local incentives are tied to the subcontractors responsible for employing those workers detained in the raid. As both state officials and industry representatives maintain a dialogue, the implications of this incident on both business trusts and immigration policy continue to unfold.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- The Korea Herald
- Atlanta News First
- Associated Press
- AJC
- Wikipedia: Hyundai
- Google Search: Hyundai Georgia immigration raid
Author: STAFF HERE SAVANNAH WRITER
SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER The SAVANNAH STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESavannah.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Savannah, Chatham County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Savannah Music Festival, St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Savannah Jazz Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Coastal Empire, plus leading businesses in aerospace, education, and logistics that power the local economy such as Gulfstream Aerospace, Savannah College of Art and Design, and Colonial Group. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAtlanta.com and HEREAugusta.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Georgia's dynamic landscape.
