As part of the multiple raids in the past two days, the federal authorities in the United States have arrested eight Indian nationals for enrolling students in an alleged fraudulent university in Metro Detroit area and working across the country.
The students would now face probable deportation. The arrests followed by raids were carried out by officials of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) in various cities: Columbus in Ohio, Houston in Texas, Atlanta in Georgia, St Louis in Missouri, New York, and New Jersey.
Reddy & Neumann group of an immigration attorney, in a statement posted on its website, said it has received multiple reports that at 6:00 a.m. on Wednesday ICE raided multiple worksites containing Day 1 CPT students authorized by the University of Farmington, located in Farmington Hills, Michigan.
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is temporary employment authorization for F-1 visa non-immigrant foreign students in the U.S. while enrolled in a college-level degree program.
The F-1 visas are a type of non-immigrant student visa that allows foreigners to pursue an education in the United States.
“The reports include worksites located in Tampa, St. Louis, and Houston. The University is generally known as a Day 1 CPT school which immediately authorizes CPT for students who only have to attend classes once a semester,” the statement said.
According to the information available on the website of the University of Farmington, it has a rolling admission procedure and operates on a quarterly academic calendar.
Some of the students said the university fee ranges from USD 10,000 to USD 12,500, which is terribly low as per American standards. The university has around 900 students enrolled, a majority of whom are said to be from India.
In its documents to students, ICE said that their non-immigrant student status has been terminated because they are not pursuing a full course of study or participating in authorized practical training.
Murthi Law Firm also said that it has received numerous reports that F-1 students, currently enrolled in University of Farmington, being taken into custody on the evening of January 29.
-Sowmya
