Donald Trump has called on foreign companies investing in the United States to respect immigration laws and hire American workers, following a large-scale immigration raid at a Hyundai Motor factory in Georgia.
The raid, which took place on Thursday, resulted in the detention of nearly 500 workers, including around 300 South Korean nationals. Footage released by US authorities showed detainees in handcuffs and ankle chains being loaded onto buses.
It was the largest single-site enforcement operation carried out under Mr Trump's nationwide immigration crackdown, and has appeared to strain long-standing ties between Washington and Seoul.
In a post on Truth Social on Sunday, Mr Trump said: "I am hereby calling on all Foreign Companies investing in the United States to please respect our Nation's Immigration Laws." He added that investments were welcome and encouraged companies to "LEGALLY bring your very smart people", while asking in return that they "hire and train American Workers."
Speaking to reporters, Mr Trump said he would look into the incident but insisted it had not harmed his relationship with South Korea. South Korea has said that around 300 of its citizens detained in the operation would be flown home.
