Over one hundred international students face the uncertainty of deportation after falling victim in the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s recent fake university operation.

The University of Farmington was in operation since 2015, and it seemed like an accredited business that allowed students to obtain work visas after their studies. There was a raid of this university to target pay-to-stay immigration fraud and combat the exploitation of legal visa regulations.

Despite being in the U.S. legally, the recent update of unlawful presence under the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has justified the charges against the students with expired or expiring visas after the 180-day mark. The students affected are currently undergoing removal proceedings while they are under ICE custody. This leaves many to question the due process of these proceedings due to the lack of transparency on ICE’s part within the operation.

The conflicting regulations on immigration status have created a variety of flaws for those who want to achieve their American dream. These students came to the U.S. to provide a better life for their families or to better themselves through education and job opportunities. These students are victims and should not have to worry about being deported.

The main intent of sting operations is to target those who are proven to have committed fraudulent crimes. The recruiters arrested in this sting operation should be the only parties treated like criminals and not the students who have legal authorizations to study and work in the U.S.

Rick Su, professor of law at the University at Buffalo mentioned the flaws and concerns over the immigration raids may have negative impacts for students who have legal visas to study and work in the U.S.

“Facts don’t appear to be clear which proves this case to be an entrapment tactic, leaving questions over valid student visas due to how they, in essence, had more time left within their visa period to study in the U.S.; but as a result of joining in this program it made their visa invalid by enrolling in a fake university; their removal will be permissible but it would lead towards a problematic issue of ethics and transparency leading to a due process concern in this case,” said Su.

Using deceptive tactics is not a justifiable form of stopping fraudulence. Using one’s American dream as bait only creates more hysteria and distrust for the system rather than justice.

“I think the administration overstates the amount of fraud that goes on, in order to justify their actions of limiting legal immigration,” said Su.

The Indian embassy is intervening in the proceedings of the Indian students involved requesting consular access in an attempt to help the students not get deported.

We are a country of immigrants. We should help immigrants who want the American dream, not try to expose them.

Brittany Zelada is a junior communications and rhetorical studies major. Her column appears biweekly. She can be reached at bezelada@syr.edu.

Published on February 11, 2019 at 11:40 pm