As one worker looked out of his workspace window and saw security trucks and immigration officers moving about carrying firearms, he was stunned, but unconcerned.
This South Korean man was convinced it had nothing to do with him. Youngjin was in the United States only for a short period on a temporary visa, he thought to himself.
Suddenly, those weapon-carrying agents stormed into his space and commanded him out. They restrained him, before attaching restraints to his midsection and ankles, and placed him onto a vehicle headed for a holding facility.
"I was terrified and my mind froze. I felt sick," he told during a discussion, now returned home.
"I was confused about why I was being handled like this."
Youngjin is one of more than 300 Korean employees who were detained in the US state of the Southern state recently, in one of the biggest immigration raids during the recent presidency to date. Youngjin and others spoken with for this article preferred not to reveal their full names in order to protect their identity.
'Helicopters and Drones… People Carrying Firearms'
American officials at first stated the workers had been in the country without authorization on incorrect visas, but eventually the two sides struck a agreement allowing them to depart voluntarily free from any consequences, so they could return to be employed there in the coming years.
The majority of the workers were in the US for a short time, helping to build an EV power plant run by two South Korean companies, an automaker and LG – a segment of a American push to get foreign companies to invest and produce more in the states.
LG indicated that many of its employees who were detained had different kinds of permits or were under a permit-free programme. Therefore they were particularly shocked by the raid.
"We just came out for a short pause and I could see a many people, agents with guns. As South Koreans, we just assumed they were here to detain lawbreakers, but then, they abruptly started detaining us," said another detainee, who was also taken that day.
Chul-yong said they tried to explain who they were, but they were frightened: "We saw choppers and drones, security vehicles… people with firearms."
There were some agents pointing guns at workers, he claimed. "Are you familiar with those red dots that come out from those firearms? It was so shocking that some people were trembling in terror."
Even those who were able to share their visa information said they were arrested. "I believed everything would be cleared up but instead, they without warning shackled us," said Mr Kim involved, who only wanted to reveal his last name.
Chul-yong said there was a shackle around his ankles and one more around his body, connected to handcuffs. "They were so tight, I was unable to touch my face with my hands."
Each of them said they had no idea why this was occurring, or where they were being transported. "Eventually I discovered that I was held at the a specific immigration Processing Facility," added Chul-yong. He had been planning to stay for about a 30 days but was detained on his sixth day there.
The Conditions Were Very Cold... Drinking Water Smelt Like Wastewater'
The engineer, a specialist and contract worker for LG, was planned to be there for five weeks to educate personnel to operate some of the specialized advanced machinery.
The 30-year-old was trembling, even visibly upset, as he described his transfer to the holding centre and confined in a cell with dozens of other detainees.
"I had a panic attack. I just remained there shaking," he said. The area was freezing, and the recent individuals were not given blankets for the first two days, he added.
"I was in short sleeves, so I tucked my limbs inside my garments and covered myself in a towel to try to keep warm at night," he said. "The worst aspect was the water. It smelt reminiscent of waste. We consumed as little as possible."
The sleeping areas were all occupied, another detainee said, by the time he arrived, leaving him and others to find any available space to sleep, including an empty surface where they could lay their head down.
"We tried to sleep wherever possible, truly. It was really chilly. There were people who located packaged food, warmed it up in the oven, holding it throughout the night."
For the initial days, the worker had little clue how much time he would be detained for. He feared it might be months. It was only after a number of the detainees were able to meet lawyers and diplomatic staff, did they realise their government was working with the American authorities to get them freed.
"Even the US side believes it might have been a bit too far," South Korea's chief trade representative told reporters after returning from the US. South Korea says it is now reviewing potential civil abuses during the raid by US officers.
The administration recognized the necessity to have specialists from overseas train up American employees, and according to South Korean representatives, US Assistant Official of State Christopher Landau has expressed his "deep regrets" over the event.
Nevertheless, it has damaged ties between the US and Korea, usually close allies, particularly since it occurred hard on the heels of a trade deal in which South Korean companies committed to contribute $350bn in the United States.
Mr Kim was confident his activities was permitted by his B-1 permit - and contended it made no sense for the authorities to detain hundreds of individuals without verifying their functions in the plant.
Younjin, who was in the United States on a three-month permit-exempt programme, is firm he committed no illegal. "I only participated in discussions and delivered instructional presentations," he said, explaining this was within the scope of the arrangement. "Our confidence in the United States has been greatly shaken. I don't think it's a trustworthy ally for our country."
Even though returned with his loved ones, the worker is still finding it hard to come to terms with what happened to him. When he met them at the airport after arriving home on that night, he said he smiled and {hug
