15 Illegal South Korean Immigrants and Suspected Smuggler Arrested on New York-Bound Train (1/24/05)
The Associated Press Published: Jan 24, 2005
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP) - Fifteen illegal immigrants from South Korea and the man accused of smuggling them into the United States were arrested on a New York-bound Amtrak train, federal officials said Monday.
The men and the alleged smuggler, 27-year-old Pyung Seop Lee, were arrested Thursday at the train station in Albuquerque, according to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials. Lee also is believed to be in the country illegally, officials said.
They were discovered after investigators with the Drug Enforcement Administration noticed their reservations on the train's manifest, according to the criminal complaint against Lee, who is charged with transporting or attempting to transport the group within the United States.
When agents intercepted the New York-bound train, Lee told them the group was part of a tour, officials said.
Two of the men told investigators they flew from Korea Dec. 21 to Canada, then were driven across the U.S.-Canada border to Los Angeles. After about a month stashed in a house there, they said Lee instructed the group to meet at an Amtrak station, where they boarded the train.
It was not immediately clear Monday whether Lee had an attorney.
Thank you all4one.
Check back in a week.
We'll soon hear that the 15 illegal immigrants were released with an 'order to appear' in court.
Then, they won't show up in court.
Completely porous borders, North and South. Ferries bring them in from the Canadian side to Washington State, and from there they are free to roam at their heart's content. Who keeps count how many come back? Doubtful anyone does!
Chinese/Korean and the beat goes on...