Several Indians Held Across U.S. On Visa Fraud Charges

Students among those detained by Homeland Security

Several people, the overwhelming majority of whom are highly likely to be Indian citizens or of Indian origin, have been arrested across cities in the U.S. on student visa fraud charges, according to court documents, news reports, first­hand witness accounts and legal and diplomatic sources accessible to The Hindu. Emerging patterns suggest most of the individuals are of Telugu origin.

Eight of these individuals were arrested on counts of conspiracy to commit visa fraud and to harbour aliens (non­U.S. citizens) for profit, according to the U.S. District Court of the Eastern District of Michigan, Southern Division, a statement from the office of the U.S. Attorney for the District, Matthew Schneider, said. Of these eight arrests, six were made in Detroit, one in Florida and one in Virginia.

In addition to the eight “educational agents” allegedly running the racket, an unspecified number of Indian students have been detained by the Department of Homeland Security in connection with the case. The American Telugu Association has put the number of students arrested at 100 and says it has confirmation of arrest warrants for 600 students based on conversations with attorneys.