On Wednesday, January 19th 2011, dozens of federal agents raided the offices of several administrators at Tri-Valley University in central California. The Tri Valley University, located in Pleasanton, California was shut down. The University offered a variety of degrees including medicine, engineering and law. Susan Su is the founder of Tri Valley University. The raids were conducted as part of a federal criminal probe, according to a spokesperson for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The unsuspecting foreign students of Tri Valley who believed they were compliant with the immigration regulations associated with their student status are getting a surprise visit from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These students are then "escorted" to a detention center, placed in deportation proceedings while being detained on bond.
Tri Valley was certified by the USCIS as a university that can enroll foreign students. Immigration officials are alleging that Tri Valley submitted fraudulent documents to obtain certification, specifically documentation demonstrating that Tri Valley is not primarily an online university. However, schools that are principally online or distance learning are not eligible for certification. If schools are not eligible for certification, they become ineligible to issue documentation (I-20) required for foreign students to obtain immigration status as a student. Further, foreign students enrolled in US colleges or universities on an F-1 immigration status are only permitted to take one class or three credit hours online per school session. The rest of the student's classes must be held in a classroom. Therefore, for a student to maintain immigration status, they must show proof they are making reasonable process toward completing coursework and physically attend classes.
A detailed summary and analysis of the Tri Valley case will be forthcoming. Those interested can also follow me on twitter for immediate updates.
TRI VALLEY STUDENTS
If you are currently in the process (i.e. filed a change of status) to secure F-1 status pursuant to admission to this University, please withdraw your change of status application immediately.
If you are an F-1 admitted to Tri Valley University, please contact our office immediately so that we may advise you of your immigration options.
