Trump trade, immigration agendas collide in Hyundai raid

Two key components of President Donald Trump’s agenda collided Thursday, when federal authorities launched an immigration raid on a Georgia construction site for a Hyundai electric vehicle battery plant.

Two key components of President Donald Trump’s agenda collided Thursday, when federal authorities launched an immigration raid on a Georgia construction site for a Hyundai electric vehicle battery plant.

The action came as Trump looks to secure $350 billion in investments from South Korea, as part of a broader trade deal. He is also seeking to revitalize U.S. domestic manufacturing with American-born workers while his administration arrests and deports foreign-born laborers.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The raid, which led to the arrests of nearly 500 workers, about 300 of whom were South Korean nationals, set off alarm bells in Seoul, which is now working with U.S. law enforcement to return those workers home.

Hyundai, one of South Korea’s largest companies, said it is “committed to full compliance with all laws and regulations” while noting that “none of those detained is directly employed by Hyundai Motor Company.” In the United States, Hyundai is the nation’s fourth bestseller of new vehicles, behind GM, Toyota and Ford.