US immigration agents arrest hundreds at Hyundai plant
Hundreds of workers were detained by the authorities in a raid at a Hyundai motorized car battery facility in Georgian state of Georgia, and stopped working at a facility, one of the main investments of the Korean car manufacturer in the United States.
Approximately 475 workers were arrested, most of them, according to US immigration officials, South Korean citizens, in the history of the Ministry of Internal Security, the largest site in the enforcement operation.
Even though the administration of President Donald Trump encourages more entrances than foreign investors, the White House has disrupted businesses around the country and increases a pressure on immigrants.
The arrests can worse the tensions between Washington and Seoul, the key ally and investor in Washington and the United States. Countries contradict the details of a trade agreement with an investment of $ 350 billion ($ 540 billion).
At a summit in August, South Korea promised $ 1550 billion (A230 billion dollars) in US investments, including $ 26 billion (A40 billion dollars) from Hyundai Motor.
Internal security officials, workers arrested in Ellabell, Georgia, said that the border is prohibited to work in the United States after passing through illegal roads or overcoming visas. Steven Schrank, a special agent responsible for the Georgian investigations at the press briefing, said the investigation took place for several months.
“This was not an immigration operation in which agents entered the facility, gathered people and put on buses.” He said. Schrank said there was a subcontractor network on the site.
A Hyundai motor spokesman said that none of the detained people were used directly by the car manufacturer.
The company said that Chris Susock’s chief production officer would “undertake the governance of all megasitis in Georgia”.
“We will conduct an investigation to ensure that all suppliers and subcontractors comply with all laws and regulations. Hyundai has zero tolerance for those who do not comply with the law.” He said.
Under Trump, ICE, a part of Immigration and Customs Execution or Internal Security, continued the comprehensive pressure of the Republican leader on immigrants, supported by new latitude to record and raid.
Trump said the “worst” criminals want to deport the “worst”, but the ice figures increased in the receipt of non -criminals. Rights defenders condemned such raids.
“The White House said on Friday,” Any foreign worker brought for certain projects should enter the United States with the authority to enter the legally and appropriate authority, “he said.
South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressed regret and concern about the raid.
