Korean Woman Sentenced for Illicit Re-Entry

BUFFALO, N.Y. – A South Korean woman has been sentenced to time served after pleading guilty to re-entering the United States without authorization.

Youngshin Nam, 41, also known as Yejin Nam, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge John L. Sinatra, Jr. after pleading guilty to illegal re-entry. Nam was turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement following her sentencing.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nam was initially refused admission to the United States on April 3, 2024, at an airport in Las Vegas, Nevada. She was subsequently returned to South Korea and advised that she was no longer eligible to travel under the Visa Waiver Program for five years.

However, Nam attempted to re-enter the United States on May 4, 2025, at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry in Niagara Falls, NY. During secondary inspection, it was discovered that Nam had submitted a falsified application for the Visa Waiver Program, which included false information about her use of aliases and previous attempts to enter the country.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson stated that the investigation, led by Customs and Border Protection under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy, revealed that Nam had submitted a positive response to routine electronic fingerprinting, revealing her true identity.

This case is part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide initiative aimed at repelling the invasion of illegal immigration, eliminating cartels and transnational criminal organizations, and protecting communities from violent crime.

The U.S. Attorney’s Office praised the efforts of Customs and Border Protection in bringing Nam to justice, stating that the case highlights the importance of vigilance in preventing and prosecuting immigration-related crimes.

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