Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr., U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan | Department of Justice
The owner of two Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse restaurants was indicted on Apr. 24 for conspiracy, harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain, and fraud and misuse of immigration documents, according to United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.
Yong NI, 52, of Troy, Michigan, was arrested the previous day and appeared in federal court for his initial appearance. Authorities executed three search warrants at residences in Shelby Township and Royal Oak that were owned by NI or through his restaurant corporation. At these locations, officers encountered twenty-eight individuals living at the homes; seventeen were identified as being illegally present in the United States without employment authorization.
Evidence from the investigation indicated that NI hired these individuals to work at his restaurants in Shelby Township and Royal Oak. The workers lived at properties owned by NI and were transported to their jobs by him or others involved. Investigators also allege that NI directed undocumented workers to obtain fraudulent permanent resident cards and social security cards through other employees.
NI is further charged with possessing a lawful permanent resident card obtained by fraud or false statements. Authorities say he acquired a visa to enter the United States—and subsequently permanent residency—by failing to disclose a prior exclusion order from 1995 when he attempted entry using a fraudulent U.S. passport.
“We will investigate and prosecute employers who harbor illegal aliens. These criminal employers profit from lawbreaking. And they do it at the expense of the American worker,” said Gorgon.
Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office said: "Exploiting our immigration system for personal gain is a serious offense, and those who orchestrate or participate in such schemes will have to answer for their actions... This operation was a success thanks to the dedicated members of our Macomb County FBI Gang and Violent Crime Task Force and the FBI Oakland County Resident Agency, alongside our partners at the U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector." Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo Jr., U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector added: “This case demonstrates our unwavering commitment to enforcing immigration laws and protecting the integrity of our communities. We will continue to work with our federal partners to ensure those who exploit vulnerable individuals for personal gain are held accountable.”
If convicted on all charges, NI faces up to ten years in prison as well as a $250,000 fine.
The case is being prosecuted by Special Assistant United States Attorney Timothy Garcia and Assistant United States Attorney Sean King following an investigation led by local FBI task forces with support from U.S. Border Patrol officials.
Officials remind that an indictment is only an accusation; all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt.
