Over a dozen illegal workers in Jackson County have been arrested. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement confirmed 13 Korean foreign nationals working at the SK Innovation Battery Plant in Jackson County have been detained.
Representative Doug Collins released a statement saying, “These jobs were promised to hardworking Georgians, and SK’s illegal and immoral actions have been nothing but a betrayal to Georgia taxpayers who have invested heavily in SK’s development in our state. I want to thank ICE for acting swiftly in response to my calls to deport this illegal workforce and for their commitment to enforcing our immigration laws."
In August, Collins requested a full investigation into SK’s employment practices after he was contacted by a constituent who had observed first-hand the illegal Korean workers.
The state of Georgia gave SK over $300 million in tax breaks, grants and land to encourage them to bring their battery factory to the state, in the hopes of also bringing more jobs to Georgians.
Fox5 reports that the illegal workers have until October 10 to leave the country and will be banned from returning for ten years, as a result of coming under "false pretenses."
