ERO New York City removes aggravated felon to the Marshall Islands
Cary Yan preparing to depart the United States
NEW YORK — Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) New York City removed Cary Yan, 52, to the Marshall Islands Jan. 24.
Yan, who was convicted of conspiring to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, was flown from John F. Kennedy International Airport in Queens to Amata Kabua International Airport in Majuro Atoll, Marshall Islands.
“Cary Yan, along with his previously removed co-conspirator, led a multiyear effort to bribe government officials in an attempt to undermine the democratic process of the Marshall Islands,” said ERO New York City acting Field Office Director William Joyce. “We remain committed to returning noncitizens who violate the laws of the United States back to their country of origin.”
Yan participated in a multiyear scheme that included establishing a U.S.-based nongovernmental organization and allegedly bribing Republic of the Marshall Islands officials with the intention of establishing a semi-autonomous region akin to Hong Kong in the U.S.-defended Marshall Islands.
On May 16, 2023, a federal judge convicted Yan of conspiracy to violate the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and sentenced him to 42 months of imprisonment. On the same date, the court ordered his removal from the United States to the Marshall Islands.
On Sept. 2, 2022, Yan entered the country at John F. Kennedy International Airport as a significant public benefit parole who was extradited to the United States for criminal prosecution. U.S. Customs and Border Protection transferred Yan to U.S. Marshals Service custody for criminal proceedings along with an immigration detainer.
As one of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) three operational directorates, ERO 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.
In fiscal year 2023, ERO arrested 73,822 noncitizens with criminal histories; this group had 290,708 associated charges and convictions. These included 33,209 assault offenses; 4,390 sex and sexual assault offenses; 7,520 weapons offenses; 1,713 homicide-related offenses; and 1,655 kidnapping offenses.
Members of the public can report crimes and suspicious activity by dialing 866-347-2423 or completing ICE’s online tip form.
Learn more about ERO New York City’s mission to preserve public safety on X, formerly known as Twitter, @ERONewYork
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