CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. — A Korean Air 747 carrying 300 South Korean workers detained in an ICE raid at a Georgia Hyundai plant departed from Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport on Thursday, heading back to Seoul.
The workers were among 475 people arrested during a raid at the large Hyundai electric vehicle site in Ellabell, west of Savannah.
“Most if not all of the nationals are traumatized from the events,” a family member of one of the detainees told Channel 2’s Richard Elliot.
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Officials in Georgia and South Korea have acknowledged the arrests strained diplomatic relations, but both sides expressed hopes to maintain longstanding business and cultural ties.
“We are thankful they are reiterating their commitment to adhere to all state and federal laws, just as we remain committed to not allowing this unfortunate incident to undo decades of mutually beneficial partnerships we’ve built together,” Gov. Brian Kemp said.
Immigration attorney Jorge Gavilanes, who represents some of the detainees, said he believes the detainees are being allowed to leave to clean up a messy situation.
“So, how to best clear it up quickly and as quietly as possible? Yeah, it’s a mess, right? On the legal side, it makes no sense what they’re doing,” he said.
Seven buses transported the detainees from the ICE detention center in Folkston to the airport, where federal authorities prevented media from witnessing the transfer to the aircraft.
NewsChopper 2 captured footage of the chartered flight taking off, marking the end of a week-long ordeal for the workers.
ICE did not respond to a request for comment.
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