Another US university with Indian students in visa fraud row

Another US university with Indian students in visa fraud row

New York: A year after the Tri Valley university scam left several students from India high and dry, another American varsity with a significant Indian population has run into trouble after its CEO was charged with visa fraud. Jerry Wang, 34, the CEO of Sunnyvale California-based Herguan University and the University of East-West Medicine has been charged in a San Jose District Court with a 15 count indictment on visa fraud including the forging of federal documents to allow foreign students to enter and stay in the United States. Federal agents raided the Herguan University in California and arrested Wang on Thursday. Wang faces a maximum penalty of up to 85 years in prison if convicted of all charges. He could also have to pay a fine of up to a million dollars. Mr. Wang’s father and mother have also been named in the 10-page indictment, which alleges that between 2007 and 2011, they submitted false transfer letters and forged other visa documents required for non-immigrant students to the US Department of Homeland Security’s Student and Exchange Visitor Programme (SEVP). The Wangs collected tuition fees and other payments from Herguan students in exchange for maintaining their false student visa records. The case could spell trouble for about 450 students of Herguan, most of who are from India. A photograph on the university’s website shows some graduating students, half of who are Indians. The university however wrote on its website that the charges against Mr Wang have not affected Herguan and that Mr Wang has resigned from his post. The university is “open and conducting classes as usual. Government charges against the Designated School Official, who has resigned, regarding immigration issues, have not affected the University. Students will find classes scheduled as usual,” it said. The university added that if students have valid visa status “nothing has changed for you.” The university is seeking Mr. Wang’s replacement and has appointed Doreen Simmons as the Interim Chief Operating Officer. The US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) said in a statement that in light of the allegations, Herguan and the University of East—West Medicine could lose authorisation to enroll foreign students. “Foreign students who are currently enrolled at these universities may continue to attend classes as long as the schools remain SEVP—certified and the students are able to maintain their lawful immigration status,” ICE said. The ICE has issued both schools a Notice of Intent to Withdraw, the first step in revoking the schools’ SEVP certification.