A New Jersey man, Hyung Ki Kim, pleaded guilty on April 14 to charges stemming from a long-running conspiracy to obtain fraudulent visas for foreign nationals as part of an unlawful work scheme and failing to pay taxes on the proceeds.
The case highlights ongoing concerns about the exploitation of immigration systems and vulnerable individuals through fraudulent schemes. Authorities say such actions undermine the integrity of federal programs and labor laws.
According to court documents, Kim served as Director of the International Leadership Training Program (ILTP), which he promoted as a leadership training initiative. Prosecutors say Kim and his co-conspirators used ILTP to bring young members of the Family Federation for World Peace and Unification from abroad under false pretenses, obtaining B-1/B-2 visas with misleading statements. Once in the United States, these individuals were required by Kim to travel across the country fundraising for ILTP while living in crowded conditions and receiving minimal compensation.
“Schemes that exploit our immigration system and abuse vulnerable individuals strike at the core of the Administration’s enforcement priorities. Our Office is committed to working with our federal partners to hold accountable those who manipulate visa programs, evade taxes, and exploit unlawful labor, and to protect the integrity of our immigration system and the people it is meant to serve,” said U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer.
Assistant Attorney General A. Tysen Duva said: “The Criminal Division will investigate and prosecute those who, like the defendant, violate our immigration and tax laws while unlawfully exploiting the labor of young persons who came to the United States and worked tirelessly for meager wages because they mistakenly believed that the money they raised was going to charitable causes.” FBI Assistant Director Heith Janke added: “Not only did Kim lie to the victims that he illegally employed…he compounded his crimes by committing visa and tax fraud.” Special Agent Brian K. Wood highlighted interagency collaboration’s role in protecting immigration systems.
Investigators found that Kim diverted over a million dollars from fundraising proceeds into his personal accounts without paying taxes on this income. As part of his plea agreement, he paid $735,000 in restitution to former ILTP members, $223,536 in restitution for tax fraud offenses, agreed forfeiture totaling approximately $1.26 million plus an automobile purchased with illicit funds.
Kim faces up to ten years in prison when sentenced on August 19; sentencing will be determined after review by a federal judge according to statutory guidelines.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey staffs about 170 attorneys across offices in Newark, Trenton, and Camden covering statewide operations according to its official website. The office prosecutes federal crimes including terrorism or public corruption cases while representing civil matters throughout New Jersey according also.
Broader implications include renewed attention on coordination among agencies like FBI or IRS-CI against schemes exploiting immigrant workers—an area where law enforcement continues prioritizing prevention efforts.
