President Trump has taken a nuanced stance on the recent Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raid at the Hyundai battery plant in Georgia, where over 475 illegal immigrants, mostly from South Korea, were arrested. While supporting the operation, Trump highlighted the need to bring in foreign experts to help train American workers in advanced industries. This approach aligns with his broader strategy to address the skills gap in critical sectors while adhering to immigration laws.
The ICE raid, which targeted the under-construction battery plant, was part of a broader crackdown on illegal immigration, marking one of the largest workplace enforcement actions of Trump’s presidency. Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) reported that 475 individuals, primarily South Koreans, were arrested for working illegally at the site. Hyundai, the company owning the plant, stated it did not directly employ the workers, who were likely subcontractors.
During a Sunday press briefing, Trump expressed support for the ICE operation while emphasizing the importance of temporarily allowing skilled foreign experts to reside in the U.S. to train American workers in advanced manufacturing and technology. He stated,