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{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2019}}
{{short description|American fake university set up by ICE to entrap foreign nationals}}
{{Infobox university {{Infobox university
|name = University of Farmington | name = University of Farmington
|image = University of Farmington logo.png | image = University of Farmington logo.png
|image_upright = 0.8 | image_upright = 0.8
|motto = Scientia Et Labor | motto = {{langx|la|Scientia et labor}}
|established = 2015 | established = 2015
|closed = 2019 | closed = 2019
| type = Fake university
|type = ]-created ]
|undergrad = 600+ | undergrad =
|postgrad = | postgrad =
|city = ] | city = ]
|state = ] | state = ]
|country = U.S. | country = U.S.
|website = {{url|https://universityoffarmington.edu/}} | website = {{url|https://web.archive.org/web/20180414235355/https://universityoffarmington.edu/|https://universityoffarmington.edu/}}
}} }}
The '''University of Farmington''' was a ] set up in 2015 in ] by the ] (ICE) as a part of a ] of the ] to expose ] ].<ref name="NYT_31Jan" /><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/2019/01/30/farmington-university-immigrant-arrests/2724992002/|title=Farmington Hills fake university set up by ICE to nab foreign students|last=Warikoo|first=Niraj|date=30 January 2019|work=Detroit Free Press|access-date=2019-01-31|language=en}}</ref> Since 2015, the fake university was part of an operation codenamed "Paper Chase".<ref name=Antonia /> Since 2017 ] officers posed as university officials. First reported on by ],<ref name=":1">{{cite web|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2019/01/30/federal-agents-used-fake-michigan-university-to-find-undocumented-immigrants/2722791002/|title=Feds used fake Michigan university in immigration sting|last=Snell|first=Robert|date=30 January 2019|website=Detroit News|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131014820/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2019/01/30/federal-agents-used-fake-michigan-university-to-find-undocumented-immigrants/2722791002/|archive-date=31 January 2019|dead-url=|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> Homeland Security and ICE arrested around 200 students on 30 January 2019 who face deportation. A total of around 600 students are involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/8-indians-arrested-in-us-visa-scam-hundreds-may-face-deportation-1986059|title=8 Indians Caught In Visa Scam In US Undercover Op, Many Face Deportation|last=Sudhir|first=Uma|date=31 January 2019|website=NDTV.com|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> Of the 130 students arrested, 129 were from ], which issued a diplomatic note concerning the "dignity and well-being of the detained students and the need for immediate consular access".<ref>{{cite web The '''University of Farmington''' was a fake university<!--not a diploma mill--> set up in 2015 in ] by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's ] (HSI) to expose ] ] in the ].<ref name="Antonia">{{Cite news |url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/31/ice-set-up-fake-university-hundreds-enrolled-not-realizing-it-was-sting-operation/ |title = ICE set up a fake university. Hundreds enrolled, not realizing it was a sting operation. |last = Noori Farzan |first = Antonia |date = January 31, 2019 |newspaper = The Washington Post |access-date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref> The ],<ref name="NYT_31Jan" /><ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.freep.com/story/news/2019/01/30/farmington-university-immigrant-arrests/2724992002/ |title = Farmington Hills fake university set up by ICE to nab foreign students |last = Warikoo |first = Niraj |date = January 30, 2019 |work = Detroit Free Press |access-date = January 31, 2019 |language = en }}</ref> code-named "Paper Chase", was overseen by the ] (DHS). Over 600 individuals were identified in the operation, many of whom face deportation from the United States for visa violations.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/8-indians-arrested-in-us-visa-scam-hundreds-may-face-deportation-1986059 |title = 8 Indians Caught In Visa Scam In US Undercover Op, Many Face Deportation |last = Sudhir |first = Uma |date = January 31, 2019 |website = NDTV.com |access-date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref>
|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-issues-demarche-to-us-on-detention-of-students/story-1ql6ruNRSJpV9BhZYPxnFM.html|title=India issues demarche to US on detention of students: Officials from the Indian embassy and consulates in the US visited several detention centres and about 30 students have so far been contacted by consular officers|date=February 3, 2019|publisher=Hindustan Times|location=New Delhi}}</ref>


The sting was disclosed to the public on January 30, 2019, with '']''<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2019/01/30/federal-agents-used-fake-michigan-university-to-find-undocumented-immigrants/2722791002/ |title = Feds used fake Michigan university in immigration sting |website = ] |access-date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref> reporting that the DHS and ICE HSI had arrested eight "recruiters" of Indian nationality and charged them on grounds of visa fraud and harboring aliens for profit. In total, the recruiters allegedly made more than $250,000 from the university in compensation.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hundreds-of-indian-students-face-jail-deportation-in-us-college-scam/story-NelUt7N8HnUZf6KM1Z6xgJ.html |title = Hundreds of Indian students face jail, deportation in US college scam |last = Raj |first = Yashwant |date = January 31, 2019 |website = ] |language = en |access-date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=":1">{{cite web |url = https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2019/01/30/federal-agents-used-fake-michigan-university-to-find-undocumented-immigrants/2722791002/ |title = Feds used fake Michigan university in immigration sting |last = Snell |first = Robert |date = January 30, 2019 |website = ] |language = en |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190131014820/https://www.detroitnews.com/story/news/local/oakland-county/2019/01/30/federal-agents-used-fake-michigan-university-to-find-undocumented-immigrants/2722791002/ |archive-date = January 31, 2019 |access-date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref> By early February 2019, 130 students (129 of whom were from India)<ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/feb/03/fear-anxiety-grip-parents-of-students-1933626.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190204231039/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/andhra-pradesh/2019/feb/03/fear-anxiety-grip-parents-of-students-1933626.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 4, 2019 |title = US visa fraud case: Fear, anxiety grip parents back in Andhra |website = ] |access-date = February 4, 2019 }}</ref> from multiple cities had been arrested for violation of immigration laws, and were subject to deportation if convicted.<ref name=":2">{{Cite news |url = https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-india-47106199 |title = US fake university sting angers India |date = February 3, 2019 |publisher = ] |access-date = February 4, 2019 |language = en-GB }}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |url = https://www.firstpost.com/world/ice-fake-university-its-entrapment-say-indians-reacting-to-news-of-114-students-arrested-across-20-us-cities-6010911.html |title = ICE fake university: 'It's entrapment', say Indians reacting to news of 130 students arrested across 20 US cities |website = ] |date = February 2019 |access-date = February 4, 2019 }}</ref> In March 2019, ICE announced that 161 students had been arrested in total.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2019/03/08/ice-fake-university-farmington/3026214002/ |title=ICE arrests more students at fake university, others being removed from US |last=Warikoo |first=Niraj |date=8 March 2019 |website=Detroit Free Press |access-date=5 June 2019 }}</ref>
According to the prosecutors the students enrolled "knew that they would not attend any actual classes, earn credits or make academic progress towards an actual degree." The recruiters had taken money from the university for getting students and made a profit of more than $250,000.<ref name="NYT_31Jan" /> Eight men involved in the case as ''recruiters'' have been arrested and charged with ''visa fraud'' and ''harbouring aliens for profit''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hundreds-of-indian-students-face-jail-deportation-in-us-college-scam/story-NelUt7N8HnUZf6KM1Z6xgJ.html|title=Hundreds of Indian students face jail, deportation in US college scam|last=Raj|first=Yashwant|date=31 January 2019|website=Hindustan Times|language=en|archive-url=|archive-date=|dead-url=|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref>


According to prosecutors, the students enrolled in the university solely to maintain their student-visa status and lengthen their stay in the US,<ref name=":2" /> despite being aware "that they would not attend any actual classes, earn credits or make academic progress towards an actual degree."<ref name="NYT_31Jan" /> However, the students' attorneys noted that the university had been listed as a legitimate school on the Department of Homeland Security website.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/11/27/university-farmington-ice-arrests-more-fake-michigan-college/4317788002/|title=ICE arrests 90 more foreign students at fake university created by DHS in Michigan|date=27 November 2019|website=USA Today|access-date=27 November 2019 }}</ref>
== University of Farmington ==
According to the indictments the university had its own real website that provided the program details, tuition pricing and contact information. The phone number of the university was directed to a voice mail box for the "office of admissions". The university did not have instructors or actual classes.<ref name="NYT_31Jan" /> The "about" section of the school's website wrote: "University of Farmington traces its lineage back to the early 1950s, when returning soldiers from the Second World War were seeking a quality and marketable education."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://universityoffarmington.edu/about|title=About|last=|first=|date=31 January 2019|website=The University of Farmington|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131064242/https://universityoffarmington.edu/about|archive-date=31 January 2019|dead-url=|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> As per the website, the University is accredited by the ] and the ] and "authorized by the ] to admit foreign students".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://universityoffarmington.edu/factoids|title=Factoids|last=|first=|date=31 January 2019|website=The University of Farmington|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190131064227/https://universityoffarmington.edu/factoids|archive-date=31 January 2019|dead-url=|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref><ref name=Antonia>{{Cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2019/01/31/ice-set-up-fake-university-hundreds-enrolled-not-realizing-it-was-sting-operation/?utm_term=.dd84fd2b19dc|title=ICE set up a fake university. Hundreds enrolled, not realizing it was a sting operation.|last=Noori Farzan|first=Antonia|date=31 January 2019|work=Washington Post|access-date=31 January 2019}}</ref> As per the website of the University of Farmington graduate tuition quarter yearly is $2,500, which is very low for US standards.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eight-indians-arrested-on-charges-of-facilitating-foreigners-illegally-stay-in-us-as-students/article26135515.ece|title=Indians arrested, students detained in U.S. on visa fraud charges|last=Lakshman|first=Sriram|date=31 January 2019|work=The Hindu|access-date=2019-01-31|language=en-IN|issn=0971-751X}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indians-studying-in-a-fraudulent-university-arrested-119013100096_1.html|title=Indians studying in a fraudulent university arrested|last=Press Trust of India|first=|date=31 January 2019|work=Business Standard India|access-date=2019-01-31}}</ref> The University of Farmington's headquarters was in the basement of North Valley office complex located on Northwestern Highway north of Inkster Road in Farmington Hills. According to Matt Friedman, who worked in the same building, the university had no classrooms and never saw anyone there.<ref name=":1" />


==Criticism== == University ==
]
In its coverage of the incident, the '']'' quoted Ravi Mannam, an immigration lawyer based in Atlanta, who criticised the operation as "misleading", since some students were under the impression that their enrollment was being made in a legitimate program.<ref name="NYT_31Jan">{{cite news |last1=Mervosh |first1=Sarah |title=ICE Ran a Fake University in Michigan to Catch Immigration Fraud |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/us/farmington-university-arrests-ice.html |publisher=The New York Times |date=31 January 2019}}</ref> Some of the students had also come to the United States to enroll in other institutions only to discover that their intended program had lost its ]. Those students then enrolled at Farmington under the belief that their prior credits could be ] into the new program. Other students affected included those who had already completed legitimate ] in the USA and were waiting for the approval of a ]; such students, according to Mannam, had enrolled in the University of Farmington as a "stopgap measure" to avoid having to leave the country. He stated that "the government utilized very questionable and troubling methods to get these foreign students to join the institution".<ref name="NYT_31Jan" />
The University of Farmington's headquarters was in the basement of the North Valley office complex located at 30500 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://universityoffarmington.edu/ |title=The University of Farmington |publisher=] |work=web page |url-status=unfit |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829185758/https://universityoffarmington.edu/ |archive-date=August 29, 2018 }}</ref> Its website claimed to "provide students from throughout the world a unique educational experience" and contained academic program details. It also claimed to be accredited by the ] and the ] and was also apparently authorized by the ] to admit foreign students.<ref name="Antonia" /><ref>{{cite web |url = https://universityoffarmington.edu/factoids |title = Factoids |date = January 31, 2019 |website = The University of Farmington |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190131064227/https://universityoffarmington.edu/factoids |archive-date = January 31, 2019 |access-date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref> According to '']'', there was hardly any way for prospective students to distinguish the institution from a real university, at least from its web presence.<ref name=":3" /> The university had a Twitter presence and the university's website featured program details, tuition pricing, and updates such as bad weather alerts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.npr.org/2019/02/02/690916805/the-university-of-farmington-isnt-real-it-s-a-complex-federal-sting-operation|title=The University Of Farmington Isn't Real. It's A Complex Federal Sting Operation|website=NPR.org|publisher=NPR|access-date=2019-11-29}}</ref><ref name="NYT_31Jan" /> The yearly fee for undergraduates was $8,500, significantly lower than many other US institutions.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |url = https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/eight-indians-arrested-on-charges-of-facilitating-foreigners-illegally-stay-in-us-as-students/article26135515.ece |title = Indians arrested, students detained in U.S. on visa fraud charges |last = Lakshman |first = Sriram |date = January 31, 2019 |work = ] |access-date = January 31, 2019 |language = en-IN |issn = 0971-751X }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = https://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/indians-studying-in-a-fraudulent-university-arrested-119013100096_1.html |title = Indians studying in a fraudulent university arrested |agency = Press Trust of India |date = January 31, 2019 |work = ] |access-date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref> The university did not have any instructors or actual classes.<ref name="NYT_31Jan" />

According to Matt Friedman, who worked in the same complex, the university had no classrooms and he never saw anyone there.<ref name=":1" /> Other people who worked in the same building doubted the prosecutors' contention that everyone was willfully involved, claiming to have seen students arriving with backpacks and attempting to inquire about the university.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/hyderabad/students-had-no-way-to-check-university-of-farmingtons-authenticity/articleshow/67823186.cms? |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190204213952/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com//city/hyderabad/students-had-no-way-to-check-university-of-farmingtons-authenticity/articleshow/67823186.cms |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 4, 2019 |title = US fake university racket: Students had no way to check Farmington's authenticity |website = ] |access-date = February 4, 2019 }} ] of an article originally hosted at ''https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/students-had-no-way-to-check-university-of-farmingtons-authenticity/articleshow/67823186.cms'']</ref>

== Aftermath ==
Immediately following the disclosure of the sting, Ravi Mannam, an immigration lawyer based in Atlanta, criticized the operation as "misleading" and accused the government of utilizing "very questionable and troubling methods to get these foreign students to join the institution", since some students were under the impression that their enrollment was being made in a legitimate program.<ref name="NYT_31Jan">{{cite news |last1 = Mervosh |first1 = Sarah |title = ICE Ran a Fake University in Michigan to Catch Immigration Fraud |url = https://www.nytimes.com/2019/01/31/us/farmington-university-arrests-ice.html |work = ] |date = January 31, 2019 }}</ref><ref name=":2" /> Similar concerns have been echoed by various Indian news publications.<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |url = http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2019/feb/02/students-were-handcuffed-like-criminals--taken-away-1933116.html |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190204125124/http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/telangana/2019/feb/02/students-were-handcuffed-like-criminals--taken-away-1933116.html |url-status = dead |archive-date = February 4, 2019 |title = Students were handcuffed like criminals & taken away |website = ] |access-date = February 4, 2019 }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url = https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/hyderabad/us-homeland-dept-under-scrutiny-for-its-unethical-immigrant-trap/articleshow/67812346.cms |title = Indian body fumes at DHS 'bait & catch' move against students |website = ] |date = February 3, 2019 |access-date = February 4, 2019 }}</ref>

The same week, India issued a ] asking for the immediate release of the students and requesting against any non-voluntary deportation.<ref>{{cite web |url = https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/india-issues-demarche-to-us-on-detention-of-students/story-1ql6ruNRSJpV9BhZYPxnFM.html |title = India issues demarche to US on detention of students: Officials from the Indian embassy and consulates in the US visited several detention centres and about 30 students have so far been contacted by consular officers |date = February 3, 2019 |work = ] |location = New Delhi }}</ref> Some of the students were apparently released after an intervention by the Indian Consulate, which has also opened a hotline.<ref>{{Cite web |url = https://www.ndtv.com/indians-abroad/indian-embassy-opens-hotline-for-129-students-detained-in-us-visa-scam-1987146 |title = Indian Embassy Opens Hotline For 129 Students Detained In US Visa Scam |website = ] |access-date = February 4, 2019 }}</ref>

All of the students who were hired as Farmington recruiters were criminally charged and pleaded guilty.<ref name="Redden">{{cite news |first=Elizabeth |last=Redden |title=A Fake University |work=Inside Higher Ed |date=9 December 2019 |url=https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/12/10/who-went-fake-university-farmington-and-why |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref> They faced jail time followed by deportation with a bar on re-entering the U.S. in the future.<ref name="Redden" /> Of the student enrollees, immigration authorities by the end of 2019 had arrested around 250 people, followed in some cases by deportation, though others contested.<ref name="Redden"/>

In 2020, a lawyers for Farmington students ] filed suit against the U.S. government in the ] for breach of their contract, arguing that their tuition fees of around $11,000 a year were essentially stolen.<ref name="Warikoo2024">{{cite news|first=Niraj |last=Warikoo |title=Students at fake university in Michigan created by ICE can sue US, court rules |work=Detroit Free Press |date=3 July 2024 |url=https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/oakland/2024/07/03/court-students-at-fake-michigan-university-set-up-by-ice-can-sue/74228675007/ |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref> The suit asked for the money back and punitive damages.<ref name="Warikoo2024"/> The claims court dismissed the suit in 2022, claiming lack of jurisdiction,<ref name="Warikoo2024"/> but in June 2024, a three-judge panel of the ] reinstated it.<ref name="Warikoo2024"/> The panel argued that the government was "engaged in the sale of services",<ref>{{cite news|first=Praveena |last=Somasundaram |title=Students who enrolled in fake school ICE used in sting can sue, judges rule |work=Washington Post |date=4 July 2024 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2024/07/04/ice-dhs-immigration-fake-university/ |access-date=5 July 2024}}</ref> and that the lead plaintiff "was unaware that the University was not a university at all...,but the government neither provided the paid-for education nor gave his money back".<ref name="Warikoo2024"/>


==See also== ==See also==
* ]
* ] - another fake university by Homeland Security (2013-2016) * ] another fake university by Homeland Security (2013–2016)
* ]
* ]
* ]


== References == == References ==
Line 33: Line 49:


==External links== ==External links==
* website announcing that it has been closed * {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829185758/https://universityoffarmington.edu/ |date=August 29, 2018 }} website announcing that it has been closed
* *{{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/*/https://universityoffarmington.edu/|title=University of Farmington}} - Wayback machine archive of the university website when it was active


] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]

Latest revision as of 08:08, 1 November 2024

American fake university set up by ICE to entrap foreign nationals
University of Farmington
MottoLatin: Scientia et labor
TypeFake university
Active2015–2019
LocationFarmington Hills, Michigan, U.S.
Websitehttps://universityoffarmington.edu/

The University of Farmington was a fake university set up in 2015 in Michigan by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) to expose student visa fraud in the United States. The sting operation, code-named "Paper Chase", was overseen by the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Over 600 individuals were identified in the operation, many of whom face deportation from the United States for visa violations.

The sting was disclosed to the public on January 30, 2019, with The Detroit News reporting that the DHS and ICE HSI had arrested eight "recruiters" of Indian nationality and charged them on grounds of visa fraud and harboring aliens for profit. In total, the recruiters allegedly made more than $250,000 from the university in compensation. By early February 2019, 130 students (129 of whom were from India) from multiple cities had been arrested for violation of immigration laws, and were subject to deportation if convicted. In March 2019, ICE announced that 161 students had been arrested in total.

According to prosecutors, the students enrolled in the university solely to maintain their student-visa status and lengthen their stay in the US, despite being aware "that they would not attend any actual classes, earn credits or make academic progress towards an actual degree." However, the students' attorneys noted that the university had been listed as a legitimate school on the Department of Homeland Security website.

University

Secondary logo used by the "university"

The University of Farmington's headquarters was in the basement of the North Valley office complex located at 30500 Northwestern Highway in Farmington Hills. Its website claimed to "provide students from throughout the world a unique educational experience" and contained academic program details. It also claimed to be accredited by the Michigan Department of Licensing and Regulatory Affairs and the Accrediting Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and was also apparently authorized by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program to admit foreign students. According to The Times of India, there was hardly any way for prospective students to distinguish the institution from a real university, at least from its web presence. The university had a Twitter presence and the university's website featured program details, tuition pricing, and updates such as bad weather alerts. The yearly fee for undergraduates was $8,500, significantly lower than many other US institutions. The university did not have any instructors or actual classes.

According to Matt Friedman, who worked in the same complex, the university had no classrooms and he never saw anyone there. Other people who worked in the same building doubted the prosecutors' contention that everyone was willfully involved, claiming to have seen students arriving with backpacks and attempting to inquire about the university.

Aftermath

Immediately following the disclosure of the sting, Ravi Mannam, an immigration lawyer based in Atlanta, criticized the operation as "misleading" and accused the government of utilizing "very questionable and troubling methods to get these foreign students to join the institution", since some students were under the impression that their enrollment was being made in a legitimate program. Similar concerns have been echoed by various Indian news publications.

The same week, India issued a démarche asking for the immediate release of the students and requesting against any non-voluntary deportation. Some of the students were apparently released after an intervention by the Indian Consulate, which has also opened a hotline.

All of the students who were hired as Farmington recruiters were criminally charged and pleaded guilty. They faced jail time followed by deportation with a bar on re-entering the U.S. in the future. Of the student enrollees, immigration authorities by the end of 2019 had arrested around 250 people, followed in some cases by deportation, though others contested.

In 2020, a lawyers for Farmington students as a class filed suit against the U.S. government in the U.S. Court of Federal Claims for breach of their contract, arguing that their tuition fees of around $11,000 a year were essentially stolen. The suit asked for the money back and punitive damages. The claims court dismissed the suit in 2022, claiming lack of jurisdiction, but in June 2024, a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit reinstated it. The panel argued that the government was "engaged in the sale of services", and that the lead plaintiff "was unaware that the University was not a university at all...,but the government neither provided the paid-for education nor gave his money back".

See also

References

  1. ^ Noori Farzan, Antonia (January 31, 2019). "ICE set up a fake university. Hundreds enrolled, not realizing it was a sting operation". The Washington Post. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  2. ^ Mervosh, Sarah (January 31, 2019). "ICE Ran a Fake University in Michigan to Catch Immigration Fraud". The New York Times.
  3. Warikoo, Niraj (January 30, 2019). "Farmington Hills fake university set up by ICE to nab foreign students". Detroit Free Press. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  4. Sudhir, Uma (January 31, 2019). "8 Indians Caught In Visa Scam In US Undercover Op, Many Face Deportation". NDTV.com. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  5. "Feds used fake Michigan university in immigration sting". The Detroit News. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
  6. Raj, Yashwant (January 31, 2019). "Hundreds of Indian students face jail, deportation in US college scam". Hindustan Times. Retrieved January 31, 2019.
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