South Korean Woman Sentenced for Lying Her Way Back into the US

BUFFALO, N.Y. – Youngshin Nam, a 41-year-old citizen of South Korea, has been sentenced for her brazen attempt to re-enter the United States under false pretenses.

Nam, a/k/a Yejin Nam, pleaded guilty to illegal re-entry in a U.S. District Court, and was subsequently sentenced to time served. She was then turned over to Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Nam attempted to enter the country at the Rainbow Bridge Port of Entry in Niagara Falls, NY, on May 4, 2025. During the inspection process, Nam presented a South Korean passport with the name Yejin Nam, but failed to comply with routine electronic fingerprinting. Her fingerprints eventually revealed that she was issued an immigration fingerprint identification number under the name “Youngshin Nam,” which had been issued after her arrest by Border Patrol agents in Texas in July 2024.

An investigation by Customs and Border Protection revealed that Nam had submitted a falsified application for the Visa Waiver Program, in which she falsely answered “NO” to questions concerning her use of any other names or aliases and denied previously being refused admission to the United States.

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 plea and sentencing are the result of an investigation by Customs and Border Protection, under the direction of Director of Field Operations Rose Brophy.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Evan K. Glaberson, who handled the case, stated that Nam’s actions demonstrated a blatant disregard for U.S. law and a willingness to deceive in order to gain entry into the country.

Nam’s sentencing marks another victory in the fight against those who seek to exploit U.S. immigration laws for personal gain. The U.S. Attorney’s Office will continue to work tirelessly to protect our borders and uphold the integrity of our immigration system.