Former Imperial Pacific Chairwoman Lijie Cui could remain in custody, as the US Department of Homeland Security as attempting to block her release on bail.
According to the Mariana’s Variety, the department intends to appeal a Saipan immigration judge’s granting of a $10,000 bond for her temporary release.
Cui was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) early this month, with her bond granted on Tuesday and a further hearing scheduled for February 18th.
The judge ruled that Cui does not pose a danger and that the bail amount was appropriate, ordering her to be released after posting bond, attend future hearings and report to the DHS as mandated.
Cui’s legal representative argued that she was pending a petition with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services which, if approved, could let her pursue legal permanent residence status.
Cui was detained by ICE for allegedly overstaying her E-2C long-term investor visa.
An attorney for the DHS has objected to Cui’s release, citing a previous contempt order linked to a labor case against IPI.
Imperial Pacific operated a casino in Saipan for four years before closing in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequently filed for bankruptcy in April 2024, reporting liabilities exceeding $165.8 million.
In August, Team King Investment (CNMI) LLC successfully completed the acquisition of Imperial Pacific International (IPI) casino assets with a $12.95 million bid.
