CAUTION - key against student visa scams

New Jersey, September 29: What has emerged out of the federal investigations into the Tri-Valley University case is not just a visa scam but several instances of abuse of student privileges.

A report in The Chronicle of Higher Education paints a grim picture: 'Many students allegedly worked full-time, low-level retail jobs'in one case, at a 7-Eleven in New Jersey'that were passed off as career training so they could be employed while on student visas. The university listed 553 students as living in a single two-bedroom apartment near the college'.'.

The report also suggests that institutions such as Tri-Valley are only the tip of the iceberg. A summary of The Chronicle's investigation into the issue states: 'Other colleges'most of them unaccredited'exploit byzantine federal regulations, enrolling almost exclusively foreign students and charging them upward of $3,000 for a chance to work legally in the United States.

They flourish in California and Virginia, where regulations are lax, to say the least. These colleges usher in thousands of foreign students and generate millions of dollars in profits because they have the power, bestowed by the U.S. government, to help students get visas.'

A detailed summary of The Chronicle's investigation, which includes names of a few other dubious-looking institutions is available at http://chronicle.com/article/Little-Known-Colleges-Exploit/126822/.

What are the precautions students can take in future to ensure that there are no repeats of the Tri-Valley/UNVA situations?

'Prospective international students from India to the US have to be careful with organizations that offer students visa consulting services,' cautions New York-based immigration attorney, Prashanthi Reddy ( http://www.reddyesq.com ). Ms. Reddy has represented students from both Tri-Valley University and UNVA who were placed under removal proceedings.

'Some of these organizations have an understanding with Universities that are not accredited or SEVIS approved, it is important for prospective students to research into these two aspects before deciding on a school,' she cautions.

A list of SEVIS approved school are available on the ICE website http://www.ice.gov/sevis/unva/. 'Be aware of the rules that govern an F-1 visa. You have to be a full time student, you have to attend classes physically at the campus in a class room setting, online attendance is not permitted for more than one course in a semester,' she adds.

For students caught in such visa scams, Ms.Reddy offers the following advice: 'If you are not given notice , nothing much can be done except for filing for re-instatement of student status. We have a new Prosecutional Descreation law as well, which can also help student put into removal proceedings. If you are put on notice that your University is going to close, please take action immediately and transfer schools or apply for a change of status.'

For now, the fear that many more skeletons could tumble out of the immigration closet is a stark pointer to lack of awareness among students about the legalities and issues surrounding student visas.

(Series concluded)