Trump Supports Training Foreign Experts to Assist American Workers Amid ICE Raids
Former President Donald Trump commented on recent action by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at a Hyundai battery plant in Georgia. Trump expressed that while he supports ICE’s decision to arrest several South Korean immigrants who were working illegally on the construction site, he believes the U.S. should seek to allow qualified foreign experts to stay temporarily to train American workers.
According to Homeland Security Investigations, around 475 individuals, mainly from South Korea, were arrested during the operation. Hyundai stated that while it owns the site, those detained were not directly employed by the company.
During a press conference, Trump noted the need for experts to help Americans who lack experience in advanced industries like battery manufacturing. He said, “If you don’t have people in this country right now that know about batteries, maybe we should help them along.” He also highlighted the importance of skilled trainers in sectors such as shipbuilding and computer manufacturing.
While advocating for the expertise to be brought in, Trump affirmed the importance of upholding immigration laws. “We do have to work something out where we bring in experts so that our people can be trained,” he remarked.
Trump took to social media later to call on foreign companies investing in the U.S. to respect immigration laws while facilitating a swift and legal process for bringing in skilled workers. He emphasized the importance of hiring and training American workers in exchange for the opportunity to bring in international talent, stating, “Together, we will all work hard to make our Nation not only productive but closer in unity than ever before.”
In a development related to the arrests, the South Korean government reached an agreement with the U.S. for the release of the detained workers, with plans to send a charter flight to bring them home.
The Georgia raid stands out as one of the largest enforcement actions under Trump’s administration and reflects the continued efforts to address illegal immigration in the U.S. As this situation unfolds, it serves as a reminder of the delicate balance between enforcing immigration laws and fostering economic growth through foreign expertise.
