Former supervisor of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Henry Yau pled guilty in a federal court in the southern district of New York on the 26th, admitting to conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes and kickbacks. Prosecutors pointed out that Yau, using his official powers and influence, leaked confidential law enforcement information to unauthorized individuals, including disclosing ongoing FBI investigations, and took enforcement actions against specific targets at the request of others, even arresting a key figure associated with a bank fraud syndicate who sought to silence and intimidate others.
Federal prosecutor Jay Clayton of the southern district of New York stated that ICE officials have a significant responsibility to enforce immigration laws, and uphold national and public security, and should carry out their duties with professionalism and integrity. However, Yau accepting bribes and betraying confidential information severely violated the trust of colleagues and the citizens of New York, and must be held accountable under the law.
According to court records and trial proceedings, Yau worked at the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement from around 2015 until November 2024, and was promoted to Supervisory Deportation Officer in September 2021, stationed at the Manhattan office. During his tenure, he had access to several sensitive databases under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and the criminal history system, enabling him to access confidential information such as immigration application statuses, travel records, and arrest data of foreign nationals.
Prosecutors revealed that at least from 2015 to 2024, Yau conspired with others to leak confidential immigration and law enforcement information, assist specific individuals with entry issues, and even cooperate with the demands of a bank fraud syndicate to carry out arrest actions in exchange for illicit gains. The bribes he received included cash, high-end dining, and luxury wines.
Yau, 43 years old and living in New York City, has admitted to one count of conspiracy to solicit and receive bribes and kickbacks, and could face up to five years in prison. He was arrested in November 2024.
The indictment further disclosed that between 2017 and 2023, Yau illegally accessed and leaked confidential information of at least 28 individuals to at least 12 non-law enforcement personnel, including former New York City Mayor’s Office Director of Voter Services Lin Hanming; he not only provided confidential information to him but also assisted in the arrest of individuals involved in conflicts with his associates, even sending photos of those arrested in handcuffs.
Additionally, Yau also disclosed information to a former political figure residing in Flushing who had run for New York City Council and State Assembly; and revealed to an investigation target of a California fraud case whether they were facing arrest or related investigative trends.
For his personal friends and former business partners, Yau also provided immigration statuses and travel records multiple times and even offered to help them identify and arrest specific targets in exchange for personal rewards.