Newsbytes
  • India
  • Business
  • World
  • Politics
  • Sports
  • Technology
  • Entertainment
  • Auto
  • Lifestyle
  • Inspirational
  • Career
  • Bengaluru
  • Delhi
  • Mumbai
  • Videos
  • Visual Stories
  • Reviews
  • Phone Reviews
  • Fitness Bands Reviews
  • Speakers Reviews
  • Find Cricket Statistics
Hindi
More
In the news
Afghanistan
Taiwan
Nancy Pelosi
Joe Biden
United States of America
China
Monkeypox
Newsbytes
Hindi
Newsbytes
User Placeholder

Hi,

Logout


India
Business
World
Politics
Sports
Technology
Entertainment
Auto
Lifestyle
Inspirational
Career
Bengaluru
Delhi
Mumbai
Videos
Visual Stories
Reviews
Phone Reviews
Fitness Bands Reviews
Speakers Reviews
Find Cricket Statistics

More Links
  • Videos

Download Android App

Follow us on
  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkedin
  • Youtube
 
Home / News / World News / 129 Indian 'students' arrested in US 'pay-to-stay' visa scam
World

129 Indian 'students' arrested in US 'pay-to-stay' visa scam

129 Indian 'students' arrested in US 'pay-to-stay' visa scam
Written by Shalini Ojha
Feb 02, 2019, 12:04 pm 3 min read
129 Indian 'students' arrested in US 'pay-to-stay' visa scam

The US authorities have arrested 129 Indian 'students' for enrolling themselves in a fake university to extend their stay in the country. Interestingly, enrolling in the university would allow the 'students' to maintain their F-1 visa status and obtain work permits. The immigration fraud was exposed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), whose officials posed as owners of the university. Here's more.

Context
Backstory: Students took admission in fake university to extend stay

As part of 'pay-to-stay' scam, the foreign 'students' reportedly took admission in a fake university to maintain their student visa status, knowingly. The students enrolled themselves in the fake Farmington University in Greater Detroit area. Spokesperson of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Khaalid H Walls, said 130 students were arrested on Wednesday. Out of them, 129 were Indians.

Beginning
Earlier, eight student recruiters were arrested

The ICE's crackdown started with the arrest of eight student recruiters, all Indians or Indo-Americans, who allegedly helped unqualified 'students' to stay in the US with fake documents. They were accused of committing visa fraud. After the recruiters were nabbed, officials launched a nationwide exercise arresting students from New Jersey, Atlanta, Houston, Michigan, California, Louisiana, and North Carolina.

Defense
Officials believe 'students' knew of fraud, attorneys claim otherwise

The prosecutors claimed 'students' were party to the fraud. They argued the varsity didn't conduct any classes and yet they took admission in it. All they wanted to do was extend their student visa and get a work permit. However, attorneys who spoke to the students or their family members said they were innocent. Instead, they were the victims of fraud.

Explanation
Immigration attorney defends 'students'

Ravi Mannam, an immigration attorney in Atlanta, said the fake university "hooked these students by promising them credits for their previous master's programmes". Further, it allowed the students to work while being enrolled. So, the 'students' might have assumed it was an authorized university and the work program was under the Curricular Practical Training (CPT). He added it isn't unusual.

Possibilities
It is possible to study remotely, another attorney says

Mannam also said many students had come to the US to get admission in some other course. But after the program lost accreditation, they got enrolled at the University of Farmington. Michael Sofo, another attorney, agreed. He said many universities offered courses that focused on practical training which doesn't require coming to the campus. "Programs like this exist and they are legal," Sofo said.

MEA's action
MEA acts swiftly, launches helpline numbers

The series of events has raised concerns in India. MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said the ministry was aware of the incident and has contacted consulates in the US to gain more information. It is their top priority. The Indian embassy in the US launched 24X7 hotline numbers which will be manned by several people, officials said. The numbers are 202-322-1190 and 202-340-2590.

Twitter Post
You can call on these numbers for assistance

24X7 Helpline for Indian Students @meaindia @CGI_Atlanta @IndiainChicago @cgihou @IndiainNewYork @CGISFO @harshvshringla @HarshShringla pic.twitter.com/qd2gCqVR0l

— India in USA (@IndianEmbassyUS) February 1, 2019
Share this timeline
Facebook
Whatsapp
Twitter
Linkedin
Shalini Ojha
Shalini Ojha
Twitter
A mathematics graduate, I handle the national desk. Always looking for items to read, I started off as an entertainment beat writer and made the switch three years into my career. My talents include breaking news and being on top of trending topics.
Latest
New Jersey
Ministry Of External Affairs
Raveesh Kumar
United States of America
Latest
Bihar: Nitish Kumar announces 20L jobs in government, other sectors
Bihar: Nitish Kumar announces 20L jobs in government, other sectors Politics
Recipe-o'-clock: Here's how you can make a Buddha bowl
Recipe-o'-clock: Here's how you can make a Buddha bowl Lifestyle
MP: Villagers returns home after alternate channel prevents dam collapse
MP: Villagers returns home after alternate channel prevents dam collapse India
Prabhas's 'Salaar' gets release date; to clash with Hrithik's 'Fighter'
Prabhas's 'Salaar' gets release date; to clash with Hrithik's 'Fighter' Entertainment
SRK to Kartik Aaryan, here's how Bollywood celebrated Independence Day
SRK to Kartik Aaryan, here's how Bollywood celebrated Independence Day Entertainment
New Jersey
Get some perspective on life with books in your 20s
Get some perspective on life with books in your 20s Lifestyle
Storm Ida kills 45 people across six US states
Storm Ida kills 45 people across six US states World
9 killed in flash floods in New York, New Jersey
9 killed in flash floods in New York, New Jersey World
Chess: Here is the journey of youngest Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra
Chess: Here is the journey of youngest Grandmaster Abhimanyu Mishra Sports
US: Neighbors spot kid crying, later find her parents dead
US: Neighbors spot kid crying, later find her parents dead World
More News
Ministry Of External Affairs
#NewsBytesExplainer: Why do Indians renounce their citizenship
#NewsBytesExplainer: Why do Indians renounce their citizenship India
Kejriwal defies LG, says will go ahead with Singapore trip
Kejriwal defies LG, says will go ahead with Singapore trip Politics
Lanka crisis: Centre calls all-party meeting at Tamil Nadu's request
Lanka crisis: Centre calls all-party meeting at Tamil Nadu's request Politics
I2U2 Summit to focus on joint projects in key areas
I2U2 Summit to focus on joint projects in key areas World
Germany: Energy, climate change top PM Modi's G7 summit agenda
Germany: Energy, climate change top PM Modi's G7 summit agenda World
More News
Raveesh Kumar
Kulbhushan Jadhav didn't seek review of his death sentence: Pakistan
Kulbhushan Jadhav didn't seek review of his death sentence: Pakistan World
India-EU summit: PM Modi cancels Brussels visit over coronavirus scare
India-EU summit: PM Modi cancels Brussels visit over coronavirus scare India
Delhi riots: Iran condemns 'wave of organized violence' against Muslims
Delhi riots: Iran condemns 'wave of organized violence' against Muslims World
As observer, India will witness historic US-Taliban deal
As observer, India will witness historic US-Taliban deal India
India deems US panel's statement on Delhi violence 'factually incorrect'
India deems US panel's statement on Delhi violence 'factually incorrect' India
More News
United States of America
Salman Rushdie taken off ventilator, talking; accused pleads not guilty
Salman Rushdie taken off ventilator, talking; accused pleads not guilty World
Delhi reports fifth monkeypox case, takes national tally to 10
Delhi reports fifth monkeypox case, takes national tally to 10 India
Author Salman Rushdie stabbed in New York, airlifted to hospital
Author Salman Rushdie stabbed in New York, airlifted to hospital World
IIT Bombay records highest job offers, packages this academic year
IIT Bombay records highest job offers, packages this academic year Career
Taiwan accuses China of using drills to 'prepare for invasion'
Taiwan accuses China of using drills to 'prepare for invasion' World
More News
Next News Article
Next News Article

Love World news?

Subscribe to stay updated.

World Thumbnail
India News Business News World News Politics News Sports News Technology News Entertainment News Auto News Lifestyle News Inspirational News
Career News Bengaluru News Delhi News Mumbai News Mukesh Ambani Indian Premier League (IPL) Karnataka Samsung Xiaomi West Bengal
Bihar Virat Kohli Rohit Sharma Haryana Narendra Modi Arvind Kejriwal Tamil Nadu Gujarat Yogi Adityanath YouTube
Instagram Hollywood News Uttar Pradesh Kerala Netflix Bollywood News Mamata Banerjee Maruti Suzuki Rahul Gandhi Elon Musk
Shah Rukh Khan Chelsea FC OPPO Akhilesh Yadav Indian Cricket Team Apple Manchester United Salman Khan Cryptocurrency OnePlus
Amitabh Bachchan ICC Women's World Cup Vivo India vs Sri Lanka
About Us Privacy Policy Terms & Conditions Contact Us Ethical Conduct Grievance Redressal News News Archive Topics Archive IPL 2022 Schedule IPL 2022 Points Table Find Cricket Statistics
Follow us on
Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
All rights reserved © NewsBytes 2022