The U.S. authorities have intensified their crackdown on illegal immigration, putting domestic corporations operating or constructing factories locally on high alert. Not only foreign workers but also employees dispatched or on business trips from domestic headquarters and partner companies have been included in the targets of the crackdown, and the level of penalties is also increasing.
According to industry sources on the 5th, U.S. law enforcement conducted an unannounced raid on a domestic corporation's factory in Georgia on the 4th (local time). The raid began at the Hyundai Motor manufacturing plant in Georgia and included a search of the construction site of the Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution joint battery plant (HL-GA Battery).
The U.S. authorities cited the execution of arrest warrants for four criminals, but no specific charges or number of arrests have been confirmed. Since the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) were jointly involved, it is interpreted as part of a crackdown on illegal residency or employment.
At the scene, nearby traffic was controlled, and the factory was shut down while identity checks of all employees working there were conducted. During this process, employees from domestic headquarters and partner companies with visa issues were reportedly taken to detention facilities for further investigation.
Domestic corporations that have increased investments in the U.S. in recent years have continuously faced difficulties due to their employees' visa issues. Timely staffing is urgent for establishing local factories or expanding businesses, but the visa issuance requirements and procedures demanded by the U.S. government are complex, and the preparation time is long. If rejected halfway, they must reapply from the beginning, which can take several months for issuance.
Typically, employees have repeatedly entered and exited the U.S. under the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), which allows visits for tourism or business (travel) purposes for up to 90 days. However, the U.S. authorities have raised concerns and are requiring individuals to obtain formal visas such as B1/B2 (business and tourism) or E1/L (intra-company transfer).
It has been reported that most employees holding ESTA, business, and tourism visas, excluding intra-company transfer visas, were detained during this crackdown. There have been past instances where domestic employees were denied entry or faced detention and deportation due to visa issues.
Since the re-election of Donald Trump, the crackdown on illegal immigration has been on the rise. Not only are there detentions, deportations, and fines imposed on those who are illegally present, but employers hiring illegal immigrants may also face fines of up to $10,000 (approximately 14 million won) per person and potentially six months in prison.
President Trump has set a goal of deporting 1 million illegal immigrants by the end of this year and has directed ICE to arrest at least 3,000 individuals per day. As the scope of checking employment documents among corporations expands to detect illegal residents, the scale of fines is significantly increasing through interest accrual and tax refund seizures.