Washington: Scores of Indian students, mostly from Andhra Pradesh, are caught up in the scam in which the dubious Tri-Valley University allegedly helped foreign nationals illegally acquire immigration status. Investigations by US authorities have revealed that while students were admitted to residential and online courses of the university and on paper lived in California, they worked illegally in various parts of the country, as far as Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and Texas.
The students said they were unaware of the dodgy nature of the university. In a petition to the secretary of Homeland Security and the director of ICE, they said they had signed up believing it was a “bona fide and legitimate university that had been registered with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database”. But US officials said some of the students had obtained visas fraudulently, while others were in violation of their visa and immigration status. Such students have been have been placed under ISAP (intense supervision and appearance program) by the ICE and put in removal proceedings, necessitating radio tagging.
“If the ICE encounters individuals who are found to be in violation of their immigration status, it will take followup action consistent with its enforcement priorities,” ICE spokesperson Lari Haley said. A government spokesman said India had conveyed to the US that students, “most of whom are victims themselves, must be treated fairly.” Affected students can call the US number 415-844-5320 and leave a voice message and an ICE representative will return the call. Students can also write to [email protected] seeking help.
