U.S. immigration enforcement authorities conduct a raid at a battery plant construction site in Georgia. ICE video capture. 

It was learned on the 8th that approximately 300 Korean workers detained at a U.S. immigration facility in Georgia are highly likely to return to their home country through voluntary departure rather than deportation.

According to diplomatic sources, the government has been in discussions with the U.S. side to facilitate the return of the detained Koreans through voluntary departure.

Previously, Korean workers at the Folkston detention facility were reportedly offered options by immigration authorities, such as immediate deportation with a five-year entry ban, or a trial within a few months while remaining in detention.

If released through "deportation," it could lead to a ban from entering the U.S. for several years or disadvantages in visa interviews. Therefore, the government has reportedly been working towards a resolution that avoids leaving a deportation record to minimize harm to citizens and businesses.

Foreign Minister Cho Hyun departed for the United States today to meet with U.S. administration officials to finalize the release negotiation process and discuss measures to prevent similar incidents from recurring in the future, such as improvements to the visa system.

Cho Ki-joong, Consul General in Washington, who is overseeing consular support at the site, expects the detained Koreans to depart on a charter flight to Korea as early as the 10th (Eastern Time).

Yonhap News