LG能源解决方案在2023年格鲁吉亚突袭前为工人使用美国ESTA签证, 引发有关签证滥用的辩论, LG Energy Solution used U.S. ESTA visas for workers before a 2023 Georgia raid, sparking debate over visa misuse and prompting calls for a new visa category.

韩国的LG能源解决方案(LG Energy Solution)早在2023年8月就使用美国ESTA签证豁免计划进行商务旅行, South Korea’s LG Energy Solution used the U.S. ESTA visa waiver program for business travel as early as August 2023, before a major immigration raid at its Georgia battery plant detained hundreds of workers. 内部文件显示,公司在一再拒绝给予B-1签证后,指示工作人员使用ESTA, 劝他们避免在海关和职业服装期间提及“工作”。 Internal documents show the company directed staff to use ESTA after repeated B-1 visa denials, advising them to avoid mentioning “work” during customs and dress professionally. 虽然美国官员说这些工人已超期或超过签证限制,但一些律师辩称,他们的活动在法律上是允许的。 While U.S. officials said the workers overstayed or exceeded visa limits, some lawyers argued their activities were legally permitted. LG于2023年3月更新了准则,将ESTA的使用限制在一个月的停留,并建议延长任务的适当签证,但约44%的被拘留工人进入ESTA。 LG updated its guidelines in March 2023 to limit ESTA use to one-month stays and recommend proper visas for longer assignments, yet about 44% of detained workers entered on ESTA. 专家说明ESTA允许短期技术任务,如培训或设备安装,但广泛使用可能涉及滥用。 Experts note ESTA allows short-term technical tasks like training or equipment installation, but widespread use may cross into abuse. L.G和韩国政府敦促美国为熟练技术人员设立新的签证类别,美国官员对此表示遗憾,并同意加快磋商。 LG and South Korea’s government have urged the U.S. to create a new visa category for skilled technicians, with U.S. officials expressing regret and agreeing to expedite consultations. 特朗普政府表示对调整政策持开放态度, 以支持韩国对美国制造业的投资。 The Trump administration has signaled openness to adjusting policies to support South Korean investment in American manufacturing.