Immigration
30 Telugu students return from US after 'pay-to-stay' sting
Hyderabad, Feb 7
At least 30 students from Andhra Pradesh and Telangana have returned from the US. They were those who were not detained or served notices by the US authorities in the "pay-to-stay" scam, according to Telugu organisations.
Telugu organisations working with the students, who had enrolled in a fake university floated by the US authorities to expose the immigration racket, said returning home was the safest option for the students who were not detained or received notices for violation of immigration laws.
As many as 129 students, all from the two Telugu states, continued to remain under "administrative detention" since the racket was busted last week.
About 600 foreign students, 90 per cent of them Indians, had enrolled themselves with a fake University of Farmington floated by the US authorities under a sting operation. More than 80 per cent of these students were from the two Telugu states.
While eight students, who worked as recruiters, were arrested, 129 were kept under aadministrative detention at different places.
"Those who had shifted to other universities are safe but there is no problem for others in returning home," Buchiram Kalapatapu, chief coordinator, Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu (APNRT) Society, told IANS.
Those working with the "victim" students believe that there should be no problem for the students returning home in finding suitable job opportunities in India. They had already done MS from other universities and subsequently availed Optional Practical Training (OPT), a one-year work permit.
"To stay in the US and work, they took admission in this university for another MS as it lured the students with the offer that they need not attend the classes," said Buchiram.
The students doing MS in any US university have to attend classes for a specified period to avail Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or to work as intern during the course period.
"Even if a university is offering online courses, the students should find out if it has physical presence or not. This particular university was offering online courses but had no physical presence," said Buchiram.
Since many of students had taken bank loans for the studies in US, they wanted to continue to stay and work there to repay the loans.
Each student had paid $20,000 to $25,000 to enrol in the fake University of Farmington, which recruited students in 26 states across the US.
Ravikumar P. Vemuru, President of APNRT Society, had earlier said that since there was no clear-cut intention by the students to defraud the US government, the maximum punishment they could undergo was deportation.
APNRT is working with the Indian Embassy to provide legal assistance to all the students. It is working closely with Indian Consulate in Houston.
Even the eight students who worked as recruiters were provided attorneys. One of them has already got the bail. The Society officials hoped that the remaining would also get the bail soon.
Telugu organisations working with the students, who had enrolled in a fake university floated by the US authorities to expose the immigration racket, said returning home was the safest option for the students who were not detained or received notices for violation of immigration laws.
As many as 129 students, all from the two Telugu states, continued to remain under "administrative detention" since the racket was busted last week.
About 600 foreign students, 90 per cent of them Indians, had enrolled themselves with a fake University of Farmington floated by the US authorities under a sting operation. More than 80 per cent of these students were from the two Telugu states.
While eight students, who worked as recruiters, were arrested, 129 were kept under aadministrative detention at different places.
"Those who had shifted to other universities are safe but there is no problem for others in returning home," Buchiram Kalapatapu, chief coordinator, Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu (APNRT) Society, told IANS.
Those working with the "victim" students believe that there should be no problem for the students returning home in finding suitable job opportunities in India. They had already done MS from other universities and subsequently availed Optional Practical Training (OPT), a one-year work permit.
"To stay in the US and work, they took admission in this university for another MS as it lured the students with the offer that they need not attend the classes," said Buchiram.
The students doing MS in any US university have to attend classes for a specified period to avail Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or to work as intern during the course period.
"Even if a university is offering online courses, the students should find out if it has physical presence or not. This particular university was offering online courses but had no physical presence," said Buchiram.
Since many of students had taken bank loans for the studies in US, they wanted to continue to stay and work there to repay the loans.
Each student had paid $20,000 to $25,000 to enrol in the fake University of Farmington, which recruited students in 26 states across the US.
Ravikumar P. Vemuru, President of APNRT Society, had earlier said that since there was no clear-cut intention by the students to defraud the US government, the maximum punishment they could undergo was deportation.
APNRT is working with the Indian Embassy to provide legal assistance to all the students. It is working closely with Indian Consulate in Houston.
Even the eight students who worked as recruiters were provided attorneys. One of them has already got the bail. The Society officials hoped that the remaining would also get the bail soon.
13 hours ago
Joyalukkas Rolls Out Mega Expansion Plans in the USA. New Showrooms Set to Open in Dallas & Atlanta.
17 hours ago
US Air Force blames power loss, weather for F-16 crash in South Korea in May 2023
17 hours ago
Modi on the backfoot spewing out hatred and anti-minority venom:
17 hours ago
18-year-old Indian-American Music Prodigy Tiara Abraham Youngest to Earn Master’s Degree
18 hours ago
Unveiling a $4.2M Fund to Empower Indian Women by the American India Foundation
18 hours ago
The United States has proposed loosening its marijuana regulations.
18 hours ago
Charlton College of Business names Madan Annavarjula dean
18 hours ago
The CDC reports that 28% of COVID-19 cases in the US have been found to have new variations called FLiRT.
18 hours ago
As a means of fortifying relations between India and the United States, Ro Khanna favours open communication.
19 hours ago
A million dollars raised for Indian-American congressional candidate Krystle Kaul
19 hours ago
AIFF rejects premier 1 club license of Jamshedpur FC, Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters and Hyderabad FC
19 hours ago
Naga body rejects government appeal, remains firm to boycott urban local bodies’ poll
19 hours ago
Friend taken into custody after Kerala bridegroom accused of domestic violence flies out