U.S. State Department is reissuing work visas for some South Korean workers who were removed from a Hyundai Motor Co.-LG Energy Solution Ltd. battery facility during an immigration raid in early September. Some are returning to work in the U.S. — according to The New York Times. In a move aimed at reversing the political turmoil created by the raid, approximately 180 people holding B-1 business visas in the U.S. are having their visas returned — said Kim Min-su, one of those detained, to Times. At least 30 of these workers are returning to the battery facility — Kim said — and former detainees are preparing a class-action lawsuit against U.S. immigration authorities, claiming their detention was illegal because they held valid work visas. They are also claiming that the detention centers where they were held were "unhealthy." From a supply chain perspective, HL-GA Battery Company is a joint venture between Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solution in Bryan County, Georgia — planned to produce NCM (Nickel Cobalt Manganese) cells with an annual capacity of 30 GWh.
South Korea's Foreign Ministry said in a statement that U.S. officials have been acting "swiftly and flexibly" to help advance a diplomatic resolution to the crisis. From a supply chain perspective, Hyundai is building an EV production facility called "Metaplant America" in Bryan County, Georgia with annual capacity for 300,000 vehicles — a $7.6 billion investment. The HL-GA battery facility is located next to Metaplant — representing one of the largest South Korean direct foreign investments with combined funding exceeding $9 billion. Hyundai Motor Company, based in Seoul, South Korea, was founded in 1967 by Chung Ju-yung. Hyundai Motor Group — with brands Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis — is globally the third-largest automotive group. LG Energy Solution, a subsidiary of LG Group, is the third-largest lithium-ion battery manufacturer globally after CATL and BYD. Primary LG Energy facilities in the U.S. include Holland, Michigan; Lansing, Michigan; Lordstown, Ohio (Ultium Cells; GM JV); Spring Hill, Tennessee (Ultium Cells); Queen Creek, Arizona; and Bryan County, Georgia (Hyundai JV).
From a supply chain perspective, global EV battery production is dominated by: CATL (China); BYD (China); LG Energy Solution (South Korea); Panasonic Energy (Japan); SK On (South Korea); Samsung SDI (South Korea); CALB (China); Gotion High-Tech (China); EVE Energy (China); Sunwoda (China); Northvolt (Sweden; bankruptcy 2024); ACC (Stellantis; Mercedes-Benz; TotalEnergies); Verkor (France); Italvolt; and Britishvolt (closing). The U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA; 2022) — specifically 30D (EV tax credit) and 45X (Advanced Manufacturing Production Credit) — are the primary incentives attracting battery and EV manufacturing to the U.S. Trump 2.0 is partially rolling back the IRA but protecting EV/battery investments. Battery cell, module, pack, BMS (Battery Management System), cathode, anode, separator, and electrolyte are the main components of the battery value chain.
From a supply chain perspective, U.S. foreign worker visa policy includes these main categories: H-1B (specialty occupation); L-1 (intra-company transfer); E-1 (treaty trader); E-2 (treaty investor); O-1 (extraordinary ability); B-1 (business visitor; normally does not permit work); TN (USMCA); EB-1/EB-2/EB-3 (employment-based green card); and EB-5 (investor). The B-1 visa technically does not permit work, but is used for "business visit" activities including meetings, training, consulting, and installation supervision. U.S. ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) and HSI (Homeland Security Investigations) have begun intensified workplace raids under Trump 2.0. Besides Hyundai, other South Korean companies with major U.S. investments include Samsung, SK Group, LG Group, POSCO, Lotte, HL Mando, and Hanwha. The Lee Jae-myung government is engaging in diplomatic negotiations with Trump. Anseong, Cheonan, and Pyeongtaek are South Korea's primary battery production hubs. In conclusion, the reissuance of B-1 visas clearly demonstrates that U.S.-Korea diplomatic relations are being pragmatically repaired.
Key Points:
1. U.S. State Department is reissuing approximately 180 B-1 visas.
2. Hyundai-LG Energy Solution battery facility was the target of the September raid.
3. At least 30 workers are returning to the Georgia facility.
4. Class-action lawsuit includes claims of unhealthy detention conditions and unlawful detention.
5. South Korea Foreign Ministry appreciates the "swift and flexible" U.S. action.
