U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 15 international students Wednesday, NBC reports. The students allegedly overstayed their visas by fraudulently claiming to work for nonexistent companies.
The arrests are part of an investigation that started in January called Operation OPTical Illusion, according to NBC. OPT stands for ‘Optional Practical Training,’ a program that allows students in college to gain work experience or to stay in the U.S. after graduation if they continue working in their field of study.
“The arrests we highlight today are just the beginning and should serve as a warning,” ICE Director Tony Pham said, NBC reports. “Any non-immigrant student who fails to maintain or violates the terms of their non-immigration status is subject to arrest and removal from the United States.”
“Additional phases of Operation OPTical Illusion are underway,” Pham added. “Our team of special agents continue to investigate both fraudulent employers and student violators.”
There were 11 Indian nationals, two Libyan nationals, one Senegalese national and one Bangladeshi national among the 15 arrested, ICE reports. The arrests took place across the nation, in cities such as Boston, Houston, and Nashville.
“Today’s announcement is just another example of the Trump Administration not only putting America first but making sure the laws of our immigration system are enforced,” Acting Deputy Secretary Ken Cuccinelli said. “Every instance of fraud is a job an American worker could have had, and with so many Americans looking for work this crime is even more unacceptable.”
According to Inside Higher Ed, participation in the OPT has rapidly increased in the past years, with nearly a quarter million international students participating in 2018-19.
Miriam Feldblum said international students contribute and add to higher education ‘economically, culturally, and socially,’ Inside Higher Ed reports. Feldblum is the executive director of the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration, a group that advocates for ‘welcoming immigration policies.’
Feldblum said the Trump administration’s actions show a ‘fundamental misunderstanding of the OPT program and betrays the values of international education.’
“Research on OPT has shown that participation in OPT increases innovation and job opportunities…” Feldblum continued. “International students do not displace American workers.”
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