ICE deports Taiwanese man convicted in San Antonio of violating US sanctions on exporting computer circuit boards to Iran
Written by Post Public Information Representative, Dec 17, 2015, Comments Off
Courtesy Adelina Pruneda,
SAN ANTONIO — A Taiwanese businessman, who completed his federal prison sentence for violating U.S. sanctions on exporting goods to Iran, was deported Wednesday by officers with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO).
Kun-Lin Hsieh, 44, of Taiwan, pleaded guilty in June 2015 in the Western District of Texas for conspiracy to violate the International Emergency Economic Powers Act and the Iranian Transaction and Sanctions Regulations. Hsieh was sentenced to 14 months in federal prison.
According to court documents, Hsieh admitted he conspired with others to obtain electronic parts, namely circuit boards with American-made laminates, from U.S. companies without disclosing to them that they were destined to Iran. These parts had dual-use military and civilian capability and could be used in such systems as missile guidance systems, secure tactical radio communications, and military radar networks. At no time did Hsieh ever apply for or acquire a license from the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control to export goods to the Republic of Iran.
This conviction and sentence resulted from a lengthy undercover investigation conducted by ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI). Hsieh was arrested Aug. 13, 2014 without incident.
On Nov. 18, 2015, a federal immigration judge ordered Hsiegh to be deported. ICE took him into custody Oct. 16 following his release from prison. Hsiegh departed the United States under ERO escort via a commercial aircraft that departed San Antonio International Airport Dec. 15. He arrived in Taiwan the next day.
“This case is an example of ICE’s commitment to seek out those who are a threat to Americans around the world, bring them to justice, and ensure they are no longer on American soil,” said Enrique M. Lucero, ERO San Antonio field office director.
In fiscal 2014, ERO removed 315,943 individuals from the United States. In addition to convicted criminals, the agency’s enforcement priorities include those apprehended while attempting to unlawfully enter the United States, illegal re-entrants – individuals who return to the U.S. after being previously removed by ICE – and immigration fugitives
