New York:
US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has told NDTV that a criminal investigation is underway into visa fraud at Tri-Valley University. ICE says all visa holders will be treated fairly under the laws of the United States, with a full range of procedural protections.
ICE has released some advice for students and families on how to protect themselves from visa fraud:
- US Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) fully support international education. We are committed to working together with our government partners and the academic community to enable qualified international students to pursue their studies in the United States.
- We recognize that international students represent an invaluable asset to our universities, our economy and, most importantly, to our country through their diverse backgrounds, skills and experiences
- You may be familiar with this saying: "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is." This holds true when considering a program of study in the United States.
- As an international student, you have certain responsibilities that you must keep in order to maintain your non-immigrant student status. First, you should only enrol in Department of Homeland Security approved educational institution. See the current list at http://www.ice.gov/doclib/sevis/pdf/ApprovedSchools.pdf.
If a school official promises you that you do not have to abide by any of the following "commandments," you may want to rethink your school or program choice.
12 commandments for foreign students studying in the United States
1. Enter the United States no more than 30 days before your program of study begins.
2. Register with your Designated School Official (DSO) within 30 days of your program start date.
3. Attend and pass your classes.
4. Maintain a full course load (don't study part-time unless you have permission from your designated school official).
5. Online or distance learning classes are limited to the equivalent of one class, not to exceed three credits, if requirements of the class do not include oversight of physical presence.
6. Don't work without authorization.
7. Curricular Practical Training is only available if the employment is an integral part of an established curriculum and if the position directly relates to your major area of study.
8. Notify your DSO if you change your major, program, or degree level.
9. Notify your DSO if you plan to transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence.
10. Notify your DSO within 10 days of moving to a new address.
11. Let your DSO know (before your Form I-20 expires) if you need a program extension.
12. Have you Form I-20 signed by your DSO before travelling outside the United States.