ERO Seattle removes South Korean nationals wanted for fraud

SEATTLE – U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s Enforcement and Removal Operations officers in Seattle removed two South Korean nationals Dec. 19 wanted for fraud in their home country.

Hyunjae Choi, 45, and Young Jin Nam, 49, are citizens of South Korea who were arrested without incident in Redmond, Washington Sept. 9 during a targeted enforcement operation.

“The Chois’ removal is an example of the great work immigration officers do every day for the safety and security of our community,” said ERO Seattle Field Office Director Drew H. Bostock. “Our officers are dedicated to the mission of protecting the homeland.”

The Chois lawfully entered the United States Aug. 19. 2022, through the Atlanta International Airport in Georgia. An immigration judge in granted voluntary departure under safeguards to Hyunjae Nov. 7 and Young Nov.8.

They were escorted back to South Korea via a commercial flight by officers with ERO Seattle and officials from their homeland. The removal was completed Dec. 20.

The Assistant Attaché for Removal in Beijing, a Foreign Service National Investigator with the HSI Attaché in Seoul and the Korean National Police assisted in this removal.

ERO is one of ICE’s three operational directorates and is the principal federal law enforcement authority in charge of domestic immigration enforcement. ERO’s mission is to protect the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of U.S. communities and the integrity of U.S. immigration laws, and its primary areas of focus are interior enforcement operations, management of the agency’s detained and non-detained populations, and repatriation of noncitizens who have received final orders of removal. ERO’s workforce consists of more than 7,700 law enforcement and non-law enforcement support personnel across 25 domestic field offices and 208 locations nationwide, 30 overseas postings, and multiple temporary duty travel assignments along the border.

Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-DHS-2-ICE (866-347-2423) or completing the online tip form.

Learn more about ICE’s mission to increase public safety in the Seattle area on X, formerly known as Twitter, at @EROSeattle.