President Trump revealed Monday he was “very much opposed” to the massive ICE raid last month at a Hyundai factory in Georgia, where hundreds of workers were arrested and deported back to South Korea.
“You know how I feel, I was very much opposed,” Trump told reporters aboard Air Force One while en route to Japan.
“You can’t expect them to make unbelievably complex chips and computers and other things and pick people off the unemployment line that haven’t worked in five years.”
The president said factories that churn out “very, very complex, very highly sophisticated equipment” – like Hyundai’s new EV battery plant in Ellabell, Ga. – need to bring in specialized workers.
While such foreign laborers should focus on teaching their American counterparts, it’s a process that takes time, Trump added.
ICE officials rounded up 475 workers at the Hyundai plant on Sept. 4 in the largest single-site operation in the department’s history.
Video footage released by authorities showed some workers being shackled with chains around their hands, ankles and wrists – putting strain on the US’ relationship with South Korea.
Hyundai CEO José Muñoz said the battery plant – one of the largest economic development projects in the state’s history – will face a two- to three-month startup delay because of the raid.
Many engineers, equipment installers and other specialized workers were among those deported, attorney Charles Kuck, who represents some of the South Korean nationals, told the Associated Press.
Trump said Monday the White House is working on a “whole new” visa plan for specialized foreign workers.
“They’ll teach our people how to do it. Our people will be just as good as they are within a period of time and it’ll be a phase out, but we want them to bring in experts and that’s the way it is,” he stated.
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