India protests as students of sham US varsity tagged (Second Lead)

WASHINGTON/NEW DELHI - After being duped by a ’sham’ university in California, some of the affected Indian students have been forced to wear radio-trackers around their ankles to the chagrin of the Indian community. India Saturday said it has told US that the use of monitors was “unwarranted” and demanded the immediate removal of the measure.

Some 1,555 students of Tri-Valley University, 90 percent of them from India, mostly Andhra Pradesh, face the prospect of deportation following the closure of Tri Valley University in Pleasanton on charges of selling student visas.

Some of the students who approached Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to seek help were placed under ISAP (Intense Supervision and Appearance Programme) and put in removal proceedings.

A number of students have already been interviewed by ICE agents, most have been questioned and released but a few have been required to wear ankle bracelets, Jayaram Komati of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA) told IANS.

Throughout Saturday, Indian television channels had displaying visuals of Indian students with radio trackers around one ankle, which was apparently done to monitor their movements.

India protested the measure.

“We have conveyed to the US authorities that the students, most of who are victims themselves, must be treated fairly and reasonably, and that the use of monitors on a group of students, who were detained and later released with monitors in accordance with US laws, is unwarranted and should be removed,” said Indian external affairs ministry spokesman Vishnu Prakash in New Delhi.

Prakash said that MEA and Indian consulate general in San Francisco are in touch with the Indian students and US authorities, adding that “everything possible” will be done to safeguard the students’ “legitimate interests”.

“The students should be given ample opportunity to clarify their position and present their case; those who wish to return to India should be allowed to do so voluntarily; those students who have not violated any visa or immigration laws should be given opportunity to adjust their status; and, those who are eligible to seek transfer to other universities should be given adequate opportunity and time to do so,” he said.

Meanwhile, Komati, whose organisation has some 35,000 members also advised students attending Tri-Valley University to seek immigration advice from an immigration attorney.

“Ultimately, we want to protect the kids within the boundaries of the law,” he said. “They are not here to break the law. This is no fault of the students. It is the university not living up to the norms of society.”

Expressing shock at the news of some students being detained by the federal authorities, North American Telugu Association (NATA) A.V.N. Reddy said his organisation is is determined to make every effort in helping students of Telugu community in their legal needs.

It has also organised a conference call for students at 12.00 p.m. Sunday with immigration attorney Rajiv S. Khanna of immigration.com to understand the students grievances and guide them on the immigration issues.

Students can contact NATA for the conference call details by sending email to natacommunityservice@gmail.com with subject line “conference”.

NATA is also planning to arrange counselling through Patrick Papallia who is specialist on civil litigation and business law, a partner at Herten & Burstien.

Meanwhile, the US authorities have opened a helpline for the Indian students. “We have set up an email address and voicemail that Tri-Valley students can use to contact ICE Homeland Security Investigations directly with their questions,” Lari K Haley, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson said.

Haley said any affected student can call the US number 415-844-5320 and leave the voice message. An ICE representative will return the call, she said. Students can also write to ‘SFRHSIFraud@dhs.gov’, seeking help.

India has also asked US authorities for provide full information about the students and keep it in the loop about investigations and prosecution against the Tri-Valley University.

Next week, the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement will issue a detailed advisory for all TVU students, which will provide guidance on the process to seek admission in other schools.

Besides, all TVU students have been asked to report to the nearest ICE office for instructions.

“Those students who are presently in India with TVU sponsored visas should not travel to the US with that visa. They can apply to other universities and, if admitted, could apply afresh for new visas,” said Prakash.

(Arun Kumar can be contacted at arun.kumar@ians.in)