TVU scam: Affected students meet Indian envoy

More than 50 per cent of the Indian students hit by the closure of California-based Tri Valley University are at various stages of processing for the reinstatement of their visa status.

The Indian mission has been informed by the United States authorities that more than 50 per cent of the students were at various stages of processing for reinstatement, embassy's spokesman Virander Paul said.

Encouraged by the development, the Indian Embassy has asked the rest of the affected students to directly approach the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which has established a dedicated help line for them.

After the Tri Valley University was shut down in January on allegations of visa fraud, nearly 1,500 Indian students were affected as they lost their student visa status. Several Indian students were questioned by ICE authorities, many detained and some in California were even radio tagged.

Deportation proceedings were started against many Indian students. External Affiarms Minister S M Krishna discussed the issue with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton during a telephonic talk in February.

Following this, Indian Ambassador to the US Meera Shankar wrote a letter to Clinton, bringing to her notice India's concerns on this issue.

Clinton responded on February 22 that "the Department of State continues to follow this case closely and is working with the Department of Homeland Security and the government of India to ensure fair and appropriate treatment of the students."

Emphasising on the US' strong commitment to foster educational exchanges with India, Clinton said, "Indian students make a strong contribution to both our countries and it is among my priorities to ensure that this pillar of our partnership remains strong."

On March 2, a group of former students of the Tri Valley University met Shankar at the embassy premises in Washington. Representatives from ICE and Student Exchange Visitor Program were also invited to be present.

"There was a detailed and useful discussion and exchange of information on the manner in which the problems of the students at Tri Valley University are being addressed, and some of the continuing concerns of the students," embassy spokesman Paul said.

"It was agreed that the students and representatives from ICE and SEVP would remain in touch with the embassy to continue to work together for early resolution of the issue," he added.