INCHEON — Eight days after being taken into custody during a U.S. immigration crackdown in Georgia, 316 South Korean workers stepped foot on home soil Friday, waving, bowing, and making thumbs-up gestures to the press and a crowd of well-wishers who applauded their safe arrival. The emotional homecoming, filled with tears and embraces, marked the end of a harrowing ordeal that left many shaken and disoriented.
The workers, who had been involved in the construction of a Hyundai-LG plant, were seen wearing casual clothes and masks as they disembarked from their flight. Many immediately turned on their phones to inform loved ones of their safe return. At the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport, a large monitor displayed a welcoming message alongside the national flag, and Presidential Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik greeted the workers, applauding their return. The scene was a mixture of joy and relief, with families embracing in the airport parking lot and breaking down in tears to celebrate the long-awaited reunion.
Leaving the airport, one worker was heard shouting, “Back home! Free at last!” as he held his arms up in the air, a sentiment echoed by many others who expressed their happiness and gratitude to the bystanders who had gathered to welcome them.
An Ordeal Recounted
The suddenness of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid left the workers stunned. Forty-three-year-old Jang Young-sun, a facilities engineer, described being “taken aback” by the authorities' actions. He recounted how he and his colleagues, who held B-1 temporary visitor visas, were told a crackdown might happen but didn’t believe they had any problems. “Suddenly, at some point, people were being taken away without any explanation,” Jang told reporters upon his arrival. “We were only made aware of what was going on after we met the lawyers and consular officials.”
Forty-two-year-old Cho Young-hwi, another engineer, spoke of the difficult conditions inside the ICE facility in Folkston, Georgia. “The difficult part about staying at the facility was both the food and the fact that there was no privacy guaranteed,” Cho said, detailing the lack of basic amenities. “Two people were using one room together, and the toilet was right next to where we were sleeping. Having to use the bathroom in an open space like that felt like a violation of basic rights.”
Over time, however, Cho noted a change in the demeanor of the ICE officials. “Initially, they were very forceful and treated us like criminals,” he explained. “But as time went on, it felt like they were starting to realize, ‘Maybe this isn’t right either.’ There was a kind of subtle shift in how they treated us.”
A Political Gambit and Corporate Support
The workers were released from the detention center a week after their arrest. Their departure was briefly delayed after U.S. President Donald Trump paused the administrative process and suggested that the Korean workers stay in the U.S. to train American workers instead of leaving. Jang Young-sun quickly dismissed the offer. “After going through a situation like this, I don’t think anyone would have wanted to stay,” he said. “If I have to go back to the U.S. again in the future to work, I might, but I think I need some time to think it over.”
In a move to protect the workers from future travel complications, the South Korean government successfully requested that the workers be allowed to return home through a “voluntary departure” rather than a formal deportation. This is a crucial distinction, as a deportation could have barred them from re-entering the U.S. in the future. The South Korean government said Washington accepted the request and assured that the workers would not face disadvantages if they re-enter the U.S. in the future, though whether that will be upheld in practice remains uncertain.
The workers were transported to their homes by company-arranged buses provided by LG Energy Solution. The company is also expected to provide the workers with a month-long leave and additional support for their physical and mental recovery. The group of 330 workers included 264 from LG Energy Solution and its partner companies, along with 66 from Hyundai Engineering and its partners.
When asked about their first wishes upon their arrival, the workers’ responses were simple and poignant. An anonymous worker told The Korea Herald, “I want a hot meal, some Korean food. I also want to take a shower.” These modest desires underscored the stark reality of their difficult week in detention, highlighting the most basic comforts that had been denied.
The homecoming marked a moment of relief and gratitude, but also a time for reflection on the suddenness of the arrests and the broader implications for foreign workers. While the immediate crisis is over, the memories of the ordeal are sure to linger for a long time.
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