The United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr. announced on Apr. 24 that Yong NI, the owner and operator of two Kyoto Japanese Steakhouse restaurants in Michigan, has been indicted on charges including conspiracy, harboring illegal aliens for commercial advantage and private financial gain, and fraud and misuse of immigration documents.
Authorities said NI was arrested the previous day in Troy, Michigan. He appeared in federal court for his initial appearance following the indictment. The announcement was made with Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge at the Federal Bureau of Investigation Detroit Field Division, and Acting Chief Patrol Agent Javier Geronimo Jr., U.S. Border Patrol Detroit Sector.
Law enforcement officials executed three search warrants at residences owned by NI or through his restaurant corporation in Shelby Township and Royal Oak. During these searches, officers encountered twenty-eight individuals living at the homes; seventeen were identified as being illegally present in the United States without employment authorization. Investigators allege that these individuals were hired to work at NI’s restaurants and were transported to work from his properties.
Further investigation revealed that some workers without valid documents were directed by NI to other employees to obtain fraudulent permanent resident cards and social security cards. Prosecutors also charged NI with possession of a lawful permanent resident card obtained by fraud or false statements after he allegedly failed to disclose a prior exclusion order from 1995 when applying for residency.
“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.
“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,” said Jennifer Runyan, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “The defendant’s alleged actions of illegally harboring individuals at various residences across our state, transporting them, and employing them at his restaurants… while misusing visa programs for financial gain are serious.”
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.”
NI faces up to ten years in prison as well as a $250,000 fine if convicted.
Prosecutors reminded that an indictment is only a charge; NI is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.
