Hyderabad, February 04: Indian students caught in the Tri-Valley University’s immigration scam are finding it hard to get admissions in other varsities in the US.
Faced with the prospect of deportation, the students are racing against time to join other universities as, for now, it appears to be the only way to avoid the ignominy of being packed back home. Besides, a majority of the affected students are unwilling to return without a degree from the US.
But many of them are being turned away by the US universities without even citing a reason. Deepthi (name changed on request) has knocked on the doors of Lincoln University and the University of Kansas, in the last three days but has failed to secure admission in either.
“My sister has been approaching different universities across the US for admission as she does not want to return without completing her education.
She has been denied admission by the two universities. Their SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) ID has also been frozen which makes it difficult for them to get admissions,” said Karthikeya, Deepthi’s brother.
With the SEVIS ID blocked and no work permit, the students have been desperately waiting for help but most are not getting even legal aid leave alone admissions in universities. Well to do students have been able to sign up advocates but the rest are doing the rounds at lawyers’ offices.
“We have engaged an advocate for my sister. Even her roommate in California has been consulting an advocate but a majority of the students have not found help in any form,” Karthikeya said. A number of lawyers, who have promised free legal assistance in the immediate aftermath of the TVU affair, have either backed out or started charging fees.
—Agencies