Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp (R) said he strongly urged President Donald Trump to allow short-term visas for technicians in connection with the recent detention of Korean workers. Kemp said Trump fully understood and sympathized with the issue.
Kemp revealed this in an interview with the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC) published on the 30th (local time) after visiting Korea for three days starting on the 23rd. He emphasized regarding the incident last month in which more than 300 Korean workers were detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), "A single incident cannot undo 40 years of Korea-Georgia ties."
In discussions with Trump, he directly raised the need for short-term visas for technicians, noting, "He (Trump) fully understood the need for technicians to stay in the United States on a short-term basis." He added, "Technicians come to the United States to install and calibrate equipment and to train American workers."
Kemp said, "When you push ahead in Georgia with major projects like Hyundai Motor's metaplant or the multibillion-dollar joint battery plant by Hyundai Motor and LG Energy Solution, you are bound to face a variety of issues," adding, "I have often seen multiple corporations make mistakes and run into problems." He continued, "We are not going to leave those companies on their own or criticize them. If problems arise, they should take responsibility, but we will work through them together."
On the future direction of U.S. visa policy, he said, "Proper visa procedures are necessary, but as the president (Trump) promised, U.S. borders must be kept secure, and criminals and undocumented immigrants must continue to be tracked."
Regarding Trump's tariff policy, he said, "It is true that some companies complain, but those companies end up investing in the United States," adding, "That is exactly what President Trump wants, and what we want."