[ilsubyeega]

disclaimer: i'm native korean (living in south korea also)

> whether any of these hundreds of people were actually working without an appropriate visa

IIRC It appears that many of those arrested entered the country using ESTA which is tourism purposes only. They are likely subcontractors of this company.

> It's quite hard to imagine none of them have cases even worth hearing

I think it's due to the related investigation was conducted quickly, as most of them entered the country for the same purpose.

[robertlagrant]

> ESTA which is tourism purposes only

The ESTA home page says it's business or pleasure. The catch is it's only for trips up to 90 days.

[izacus]

Just to be clear - "business" doesn't mean "work". As in - you're not allowed to do your primary job function on such a visa.

[robertlagrant]

I'm not sure - if I were going for business I would be doing my primary job function. E.g. having meetings or workshops. I couldn't get employment in a local company there on an ESTA, I wouldn't say.

[rrobukef]

An ESTA is not only for Tourism.