Hyderabad, February 03: Indian students facing the prospect of deportation after being duped by the Tri-Valley University and losing their student visa status may have to languish in the US till September, when hearing in the case is expected to be slotted.
What is worse, SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) will remain blocked till the hearing. SEVIS is a web-based programme of the Department of Homeland Security designed to track foreign students in the US. While SEVIS remains blocked, the students cannot apply for fresh admissions anywhere in the US.
“A number of students went to meet officials at the US Consulate but they have been told that nothing can be done now. They will have to wait till the hearing in September. Earlier, they were told that the hearing will be in May but later, indicated it will be in September,” said Karthikeya, relative of an affected student.The passports of the students have also been confiscated by the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) authorities to ensure that they do not leave the country. This is in addition to the radio collars tagged to their ankles.
The students, who have borrowed hefty loans for studying in the US, face an uncertain future as they can neither study nor work nor even return. However, in what seems to be a silver lining, the ICE authorities indicated that visas of most of the affected students would be reviewed and promised a “fair” deal.
—Agencies