Thread: Feds Probe Calif. 'Sham University' for Visa Fraud:

By TERENCE CHEA,

Associated Press:

January 31, 2011 07:34 PM

SAN FRANCISCO – The government of India is urging the United States to show leniency toward Indian students who were enrolled at a "sham university" in California that U.S. authorities say was a front for illegal immigration.

The U.S. attorney's office alleges the owner of Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton used the unaccredited school to charge foreigners millions of dollars in tuition fees and help them obtain student visas to stay in the U.S.

Officials at Tri-Valley did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday.

There were 1,555 students enrolled at Tri-Valley last fall and about 95 percent of them were from India, according to a complaint filed Jan. 19 in U.S. District Court in San Francisco.

Many of those students, who took Tri-Valley courses online, could be deported if they are found to be in violation of their immigration status.

Indian officials say the students are being "treated like criminals" by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents even though they were issued valid U.S. visas by American consular officials in India.

"I don't think any of them had any idea this was a sham university," said Susmita Gongulee Thomas, consul general of India in San Francisco. "I don't think any of them had the motivation to defraud any rules of the U.S. government ... These students came here genuinely to improve their prospects and they should not be criminalized or victimized."

Students told Indian consulate officials that they were searched, treated rudely and handcuffed before being taken into immigration offices for questioning, Thomas said.

Many have been forced to wear ankle bracelets to track their movements with radio frequency signals, and they must report to immigration officials regularly while they go through deportation proceedings, Gongulee Thomas said.

Indian officials are asking the U.S. government to stop requiring the students to wear the ankle monitors.

"They felt threatened and intimidated by the ICE officials," Thomas said. "We in India do not treat anyone other than criminals with anything that resembles ankle bracelets or handcuffs."

In New Delhi, External Affairs Minister S.M. Krishna expressed concern about the way the students have been treated.

"We demand that the U.S. government initiate severe action against those officials responsible for this inhuman act. Indian students are not criminals," Krishna said Monday. "The radio collars should immediately be removed."

"The Ministry will extend all help to the students. The parents need not worry since the matter has been taken up with appropriate authorities," Krishna added.

U.S. State Department spokesman P.J. Crowley said Monday the use of radio monitors is widespread and standard for investigations and "does not necessarily imply guilt or suspicion of criminal activity."

"It allows for freedom of movement and is a positive alternative to confinement during a pending investigation," Crowley said.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Agency is establishing a help line for the Indian students affected by the school's closure, Crowley said.

Indian officials are asking that the students be allowed to transfer to other U.S. universities or be allowed to return to India without being deported, which would prevent them from returning to the U.S. and hurt their employment prospects back home, Thomas said.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.c ... .DTL&tsp=1

"Indian officials say the students are being "treated like criminals" by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents even though they were issued valid U.S. visas by American consular officials in India."

When people enter a Country illegally, they become crime offenders, or over stay Visa Passports and remains in Countries other than their homelands.

Originally Posted by Pisces_2010

"Indian officials say the students are being "treated like criminals" by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents even though they were issued valid U.S. visas by American consular officials in India."

When people enter a Country illegally, they become crime offenders, or over stay Visa Passports and remains in Countries other than their homelands.

you are 100 % right Pisces

Related:
http://www.alipac.us/ftopict-225937.html

Added to Homepage Feb 1, 2011

http://www.alipac.us/article-6046--0-0.html

ICE may reinstate Tri-Valley students' visas

6 February 2011
Press Trust of India

WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI, 6 FEB: The US Immigration and Custom Enforcement (ICE) has indicated that it is ready to consider reinstating the immigration status of those Indian students, who have lost their student visas due to the closure of a California-based “shamâ€

Indian officials are asking the U.S. government to stop requiring the students to wear the ankle monitors.

As time passes, it may be learned also a lot of those students were receiving (Financial Aid) to help pay college tuitions, which are Government funds for low income students.

Tri-Valley case: A law firm's open letter to Obama

NDTV Correspondent, Updated: February 08, 2011 10:43 IST


San Francisco: The fate of Tri-Valley University students who risk being deported if they are found in violation of their immigration status could be decided in the next few days.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities are expected to announce guidelines for the students caught in the controversy this week.

Meanwhile, a San Francisco-based immigration firm has raised the issue of the Indian students at Tri-Valley University in an open letter to US President Barack Obama.

Here's the full text of the letter:


Dear President Obama,

During your run for President many people in the immigrant community were over joyed to hear that you did not take extreme positions in regards to immigration nor did you campaign on a policy of getting "tough on immigration" like many of your counter-parts. Yet during your Presidency the issue of immigration continues to heat up, while issues like SB1070 further polarize our nation. Lately we have seen strong legislation and guidance that has negatively impacted the South Asian community. These rulings have primarily hurt people from India with the passing of stringent rules against H-1B holders and Indian students. I feel that such anti-immigrant sentiment against lawful tax paying immigrant workers is unwarranted and unnecesary. Many studies and surveys have shown that the contributions of East Indians to the United States' economy is unparalleled. While I am neither an Indian citizen nor an Indian resident, I feel obligated as a United States Citizen and an officer of the court to bring to your attention a pressing issue.

Just recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents raided Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton California for issuing invalid form I-20s to hundreds of international students. The U.S. attorney's office alleges the owner of Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton used the unaccredited school to charge foreigners millions of dollars in tuition fees and help them obtain student visas to stay in the United States. Yet despite the fact that these students are victims of fraud, ICE is treating them as co-conspirators in this massive crime.

At the moment, many of those students who took Tri-Valley courses risk being deported if they are found to be in violation of their immigration status. This is despite the fact that they were issued valid U.S. visas by American consular officials. It is highly unlikely that the majority of these students had any idea they were enrolled in a sham university. Most of the students enrolled at Tri-Valley University simply wanted to improve their prospects in life and ensure themselves a better future by doing so. Unfortunatly, all of these students are being treated as potential criminals despite having no intention of defrauding any rules of the United States Government.

These students deserve better than to be thrown out of the country for being victims of fraud. Many of these students invested their hard earned money and the next few years of their lives in the United States when they obtained their student visas to study at Tri-Valley University and in doing so gave up other options in their home countries. It is important to mention that many of the Tri-Valley students are Master and Phd degree holders. After talking to hundreds of these students, we have started an online petition to support them on our website at www.peerallylaw.com. In just a few days, we have gathered more than 450 online signatures that support our contentions. The petition is ongoing and we hope to obtain several hundred more signatures.

The least we ask is that clemency be provided to these students so that they may be permitted to depart the United States without repercussion or, if eligible, be permitted to obtain a change of status or transfer to another school.

This event is turning into a diplomatic nightmare forcing the US consulate in India to apologize at every turn. The rage of seeing students on camera with radio tagged ankle bracelets is fueling many heated debates in India, and even turning the people of one of the most powerful economies in the world, to exhibit anti-American sentiments. Many are even contemplating boycotting the United States. This is a not a healthy situation for the United States. Our reputation in the world has been tarnished. We need to quickly rectify this situation.

While the world is turning anti-American, I still believe that the United States of America was founded on being a welcoming land for immigrants and remains "The Land of the free and the home of the brave." I personally defend the United States whenever I hear anti-American voices. Please give me a chance to continue having the ability to defend our great country.

It is therefore, important for your administration to handle this situation delicately and make sure India and its people continue to look upon us favorably.

Thank you.
Sincerely,
Shah Peerally, Esq.
President of Shah Peerally Law Group PC.

www.ndtv.com

Just recently, Immigration and Customs Enforcements agents raided Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton California for issuing invalid form I-20s to hundreds of international students. The U.S. attorney's office alleges the owner of Tri-Valley University in Pleasanton used the unaccredited school to charge foreigners millions of dollars in tuition fees and help them obtain student visas to stay in the United States. Yet despite the fact that these students are victims of fraud, ICE is treating them as co-conspirators in this massive crime.

I am not sure if President Obama will or can change Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) job duties, since this Country is already over loaded with illegal aliens from all across the world. Possibly, the President need to assist with increase immigration laws to pull this Country together much quicker, so Americans can stop suffering and employ jobs that have been stolen by undocumented aliens.