The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit has issued a verdict that allows students to sue the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The verdict applied to students who had enrolled in a fake university set up in Michigan by the agency.
In 2020, a student filed a lawsuit against the U.S. government in collaboration with other students. Teja Ravi was a student at the University of Farmington, which was a fake university run by ICE to catch illegal immigrant students. Consequently, after ICE arrested 250 students at the university for inadequate visas, it shut down its operations.
However, the university or the agency had refused to refund the payments made by students who had paid tuition fees. The university had demanded an annual tuition fee of $11,000 per student. Subsequently, after the closure of the university, the school accused the U.S. government of breach of contract, demanding a refund and punitive damages.
The lawsuit was filed with a trial court, which dismissed it in 2022 for technicality, alleging the suit had no jurisdiction. However, on Tuesday, June 25, 2024, the federal appeals court judges ruled to have the case returned to trial. The federal appellate court had decided that the student who fell victim to the operation had every right to sue the government.
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According to a former student of the university, Prudhivi Raj, the appeal’s decision was only about a legal win and the right thing. Additionally, Raj stated that the decision highlights the fundamental principles of fairness and honesty and that the affected students are grateful for the verdict. Raj stated this on Friday, June 28, 2024, after the verdict was passed.
The elaborate operation began in 2015 after ICE created a website for the admissions process like every other university. Subsequently, the agency included the University of Farmington on its webpage as part of a U.S.-approved school for students. With all the preparation and things put in place, the school had everything for over 600 students to apply for.
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According to the lawsuit, a majority of the students who enrolled were immigrants from India who aimed to pursue a course in technology and science. Several of the students legally reside and make a living in the U.S. through university educational programs, like the one in Farmington. Additionally, at the time of enrollment, the students were in the country lawfully under the F-1 student visa program.
However, the elaborate operation was aimed at exposing international students guilty of “pay to stay” schemes, which the students deny. Consequently, upon enrollment, the agency arrested about 250 students, deporting several of them while the others left the country on their own accord.
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Additionally, the lawsuit accused the Department of Homeland Security of going too far to deceive unsuspecting students.
In January 2016, the fake institution was incorporated into Michigan, according to the state’s Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs. The U.S. Accrediting Commission approved the university for operations with the U.S.
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