Unions Condemn ICE Arrests and Demand Worker Rights at Georgia Site

Labor Unions Denounce ICE Actions at Georgia Construction Site

The Korean Metal Workers’ Union (KMWU) and the United Auto Workers (UAW) have issued a strong rebuke against the mass arrest and detention of 475 workers by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a construction site affiliated with Hyundai Motor Group and LG Energy Solutions in Georgia. Both unions have pledged to combat any attacks that undermine workers’ rights.

Footage from the incident reveals workers bound with chains at their hands, feet, and waists, actions that contravene articles 47 and 48 of the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners, known as the Mandela Rules. These rules prohibit chaining individuals as it is considered “inherently degrading” and stipulate that restraints should be minimally intrusive, applied only when necessary and according to the risk posed. This event marks a blatant abuse of human rights and a violation of international standards.

The rights of workers employed in U.S.-based plants owned by Korean firms must be protected irrespective of their nationality, race, employment status, or company links. However, Korean companies have been criticized for failing to ensure safe working conditions. The Hyundai Metaplant site in Georgia has seen three fatal incidents, with the latest occurring in May. Many workers continue to face predictable risks, including those associated with visa status. Companies must cease transferring the burden of identified crises onto workers and instead commit to providing a secure work environment.

The Trump administration’s decision to conduct a forceful operation arresting 475 workers contradicts its receipt of investments from Korean companies. Rather than targeting workers, the U.S. government should focus on restructuring exploitative systems, ensuring safe working conditions, and offering on-ground support.

Among those detained, approximately 300 Korean workers began their return journey home on the 11th, while workers from other nations remain in detention. KMWU and UAW urge the immediate release of all detained individuals.

As capital moves across borders seeking labor, it appears the state has relinquished its human rights responsibilities, prioritizing the “hunt” for workers. This situation underscores the pressing need for international labor union solidarity. KMWU and UAW have committed to taking concerted action to defend workers' rights globally.