Exposing A University's Illegal Trap For Undocumented Students

In 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) set up a fake university, the University of Farmington, to trap undocumented immigrants who wanted to obtain a student visa. The university was run by Homeland Security Investigation, the investigative arm of US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The fake university's website was designed to look incredibly real, and it is still up and running. Although no federal or state laws prohibit the admission of undocumented immigrants to US colleges, the University of Farmington case demonstrates how creating a university to trap undocumented students is unethical and illegal.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created a fake university to trap undocumented students

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) created a fake university, the University of Farmington, to trap undocumented students. Located in Farmington Hills, Michigan, the university was run by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), the investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which falls under the DHS. The fake university was designed to lure in undocumented immigrants who were seeking student visas or trying to take advantage of the Curricular Practical Training (CPT) visa program, which would allow them to work in the U.S.

The University of Farmington's website was created to look incredibly real, with a detailed description of the university as a "nationally accredited business and STEM institution" and approval from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to enrol international students. However, in reality, the university had no curriculum or faculty. The website included stock images and suspicious elements, such as non-functioning links to social media pages.

The DHS's scheme targeted not only the undocumented students but also individuals who were aiding them in remaining in the country illegally. Eight U.S. citizens were arrested and indicted on immigration fraud claims, accused of conspiring to facilitate more than 600 foreign citizens to illegally remain, re-enter, and work in the U.S. by recruiting them to enrol in the fraudulent university.

While the government justified its deceptive actions as creative and not entrapment, critics argue that such schemes set up immigrants to be arrested on legal grounds they may be unaware of. The University of Farmington is not an isolated incident, as the U.S. has previously used fake universities, such as the University of Northern New Jersey in 2016, to track visa fraud.

It is important to note that while there are no federal or state laws prohibiting the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S. colleges, they often face legal and financial barriers to higher education. Undocumented students are ineligible for federal financial aid and may be treated as foreign students, disqualifying them from in-state tuition rates and state aid.

Applicants to the fake university knew it was not approved by the DHS and was illegal

In 2019, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was accused of operating a fake university in Michigan to lure and trap undocumented immigrants. The University of Farmington, located in Farmington Hills, was run by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), the investigative arm of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The indictment alleged that applicants to the program knew that they would not be attending any classes or earning credits, and that the program was illegal and not approved by the DHS.

The fake university's website billed it as a STEM school offering graduate degrees and claimed that it was founded in the 1950s to help returning soldiers from World War II. The site also stated that the university was accredited by the Commission of Career Schools and Colleges and approved by the DHS and the Exchange Visitors Program. The university was included on the DHS's list of universities approved for the Students and Exchange Visitor Information Program.

Despite these efforts to present the University of Farmington as a legitimate institution, prosecutors claimed that those who enrolled knew that it was not. This is contradicted by lawyers and representatives for those arrested, who describe students hoping to pursue degrees and people who were cheated out of large sums of money. The university was listed as accredited on state and federal sites, and students had received SEVIS authorization from the DHS, which would not have been possible if it were not an approved school.

The indictment states that the eight defendants conspired to fraudulently facilitate hundreds of foreign nationals in illegally remaining and working in the United States by recruiting them to enroll in the fake university. The defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit visa fraud and harbouring aliens for profit.

Undocumented students face legal and financial barriers to higher education

In 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) set up a fake university, the University of Farmington, located in Farmington Hills, Michigan. The university was run by Homeland Security Investigation (HSI), which falls under the investigative arm of the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The fake university was created to lure in undocumented immigrants who were seeking to obtain a student visa. The indictment alleges that applicants to the program knew that no actual classes would be held and that no academic progress would be made. However, it is unclear to what extent the applicants were aware that they were not applying to a real university.

While there is no federal or state law prohibiting the admission of undocumented immigrants to U.S. colleges, undocumented students face significant legal and financial barriers to higher education. Firstly, they are ineligible for any form of federal aid and are limited to private scholarships, grants, and state or institutional aid. Secondly, many schools, especially public schools, may choose to reject applications from undocumented immigrants, as they do not qualify for in-state tuition rates. Additionally, institutional policies on admitting undocumented students vary, with some requiring proof of citizenship or legal residency.

Undocumented students residing in a particular state may face controversy over whether they should be eligible for lower tuition rates that state residents pay for public institutions. Many state institutions charge undocumented students out-of-state tuition fees, even if they have been long-time residents. This policy can make college unaffordable for many undocumented students. While some states have passed laws allowing undocumented students to pay in-state tuition under certain conditions, others actively block access to in-state tuition or prohibit enrollment in public colleges altogether.

To overcome these challenges, undocumented students should consider applying to sanctuary campuses, which provide a supportive environment and offer resources tailored to their unique needs. Additionally, institutions that have historically served underserved populations, such as Hispanic-serving colleges and universities or Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), may be more sympathetic to the issues faced by undocumented immigrants. Online colleges are also an option, as they are often more affordable and carry less risk of encountering immigration enforcement.

Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid

While undocumented students are guaranteed an education in U.S. public schools through grade 12, they may face legal and financial barriers to higher education. Undocumented students are not eligible for federal financial aid, including loans, grants, scholarships, or work-study money. This is because they are not considered U.S. citizens or legal residents. However, they may be eligible for other forms of financial aid, such as institutional or private scholarships, and state-level aid.

There are a few options for undocumented students seeking financial aid for college. Firstly, they can explore institutional scholarships offered by universities themselves. These scholarships may be awarded based on academic merit rather than financial need. Additionally, private scholarships from academic institutions may be available to applicants who complete the admissions process.

Another option is to consider state financial aid. Access to state financial aid for undocumented students varies by state. Some states, such as California, Washington, and Oregon, allow undocumented students to access state financial aid. Other states, such as Virginia, will grant in-state tuition rates for undocumented students with DACA status but not for those without. It is important for undocumented students to research the specific requirements and policies of their state.

Furthermore, undocumented students can explore private scholarships and grants from private colleges, nonprofits, and other organizations. While many private scholarship funds require applicants to be U.S. citizens or legal residents, there are some that do not have this restriction. It is worth noting that citizenship status may influence the amount and accessibility of student loans.

Undocumented students should also be aware of the concept of sanctuary campuses. Sanctuary campuses provide a supportive environment for undocumented students and address their unique needs. These institutions do not allow ICE officers on campus without warrants, do not share students' immigration status with authorities, and offer resources such as tuition support and medical services.

While the unavailability of federal financial aid presents a challenge for undocumented students, there are still opportunities for financial assistance through institutional and private scholarships, state aid, and sanctuary campuses. It is important for undocumented students to carefully research their options and consider the support provided by different institutions and states.

Sanctuary campuses protect undocumented students from ICE officers and offer tailored resources

Sanctuary campuses are colleges or universities that adopt policies to protect members of their community who are undocumented immigrants. The term is modelled after "sanctuary cities", a status that has been adopted by over 30 municipalities. Sanctuary campuses provide much-needed relief from the tense atmosphere that an undocumented student may experience at other institutions.

Sanctuary campuses protect undocumented students from ICE officers by not allowing them on campus without warrants, refusing to share student immigration status with ICE, and refusing to allow campus police to enforce immigration law. They also offer tailored resources to meet the unique needs of undocumented students, such as tuition support, medical and health services, and distance learning options for deported students.

Sanctuary campuses also provide confidential legal support to students with immigration law questions and issues, and expand these policies to include medical and other facilities associated with the campus. They reduce the deployment of campus police to protests that seek to include undocumented students and workers to avoid intimidation of undocumented activists. Additionally, they end practices that undermine worker and student worker labor unions.

The American Association of University Professors endorsed the sanctuary campus movement in 2016 and urged colleges and universities to adopt sanctuary policies. In response to student petitions and protests, at least eight colleges and universities in the US have declared themselves sanctuary campuses, and many more have outlined policies and procedures that protect undocumented immigrant students and others threatened with registration or deportation.

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