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International Students on CampusWhy We Must Care
Presenters Chief Dan Dusseau
Northern Virginia Community College Lt. John Weinstein
Northern Virginia Community College
Our Goals• Minimize criminality based on cultural differences• Monitor the precursors to terrorism to:
– Avoid violence on campus and society in general– Avoid use of college documentation as legitimate ID
• Recognize/respond to visa/transcript fraud• Promote full integration of international students
(I/S) into college experience
NOVA’s Challenges • Largest of VA Comm. Coll. System’s
23 colleges: ~75K students• 6 campuses/ 3 centers; centrally
administered. Teach at 300-400 locations.
• NOVA is the 9th most internationally diverse U.S. higher ed. Institution– Students from 180 countries
• NOVA has ~2,000+ I/S on campus per year and 5th highest I/S enrollment for U.S. CCs
• NOVA administers the Community College Initiative Program (CCIP) Funded by State Department, Provides opportunities for foreign
students to develop leadership capabilities, professional skills, and English language proficiency, at a U.S. community college.
Since CCIP’s 2007 establishment, more than 75 community colleges have hosted over 2,740 participants from 21 countries.
Evolving Immigration Environment
Top 10 Places of Origin of I/S in US
Bottom Line Up Front Visa/transcript fraud
• Costly • Injurious to College’s
brand • Multi-dimensional • Uncoordinated
• Based to an extent on faith
• Conducive to fraud • Potentially dangerous
Visa Fraud and Transcripts• Fraud in international higher
ed is a $1.5-$2.5b business (Redden, 2012)
• I/S applications are increasing
• Illegitimate international applications and transcripts are not new, but appear to be increasing (Redden, 2012)
– Most schools lack procedures to identify/deal with the problem
• “College advisors” promise university acceptance for I/S (Swan, 2012)
• Fake universities (e.g., Tri Valley, Univ. of North Virginia) result in visa fraud (Mishra, 2012)
• There are loopholes and gaps in our system (Mishra, 2012)
Do we have a Problem?Student letter, dated, February 17, 2014, to Dean“Hello, I’m letting you know about a company called Integrated Academics which I have used to do my homework. They have taken all my classes for me and I did not do any of the work. I am writing to let you know how big the problem is. All of the Arab students that I know use a service like Integrated Academics where the company does homework for them. We give the company all the sign in information and we don’t have to do anything but go to classes sometimes. IT is a very bad thing and I thing (sic) we should stop this (sic) actions. Please contact me so that we can talk about this. Cheating is big problem with Saudi, Qatari and other Arabic students.”
/s/ Saif al XXXXXXX
Case Background• In July 2013, NOVA’s International Student Affairs
Office Coordinator reported a problem with a student on an F-1 student visa– Student’s record had a hold (unfulfilled requirement)
which prevented him from getting an I-20 • Discovered possible fraudulent English proficiency
transcript and visa fraud involving I-20 (student visa)
I-20 Student Visa
Get accepted by a school
Pay SEVIS fee & receiveI‐20
Complete F‐1 visa application
Attend visa interview at embassy
F‐1 visa approval
I-20 Process (cont.)
• If education requirements not completed in time, Designated School Official (DSO) can terminate students in SEVIS Student must be actively enrolled in school must maintain passing grades must demonstrate English proficiency to be accepted to NOVA degree-
granting program• Documentary proof: transcript from another College/University
equivalent to NOVA’s ENGL111• Failure to meet standards may result in:
F-1 status termination Requirement to leave U.S.
Investigation Process– Interviewed the
student– Student had a
payment receipt – Investigation
identified Integrated Academics as company charging students for an I-20
• NOVA PD & DHS task force established– 5,000+ hours dedicated
to case
• NOVA PD audited ~200 I/S records/transcripts
Investigative Findings • NOVA PD found official
and unofficial transcripts in question
• Transcripts were secured and submitted by Integrated Academics (IA)
• Majority of NOVA students with fake transcripts came from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE
• Undercover agent went to IA and secured services (transcript and completed homework/tests)
• Multiple search warrants served
Investigative Findings • Provided fraudulent transcripts
to students who failed English proficiency standards
• Had student ID #s, accounts, & email addresses & corresponded with NOVA
• Paid professors/others to complete NOVA tests
• Students used the company’s address
• Templates of official transcripts• Documents broken down by
class/ students in class/ NOVA student’s ID & passwords
• Tests w/ answers & emails explaining how IA would handle full course loads & costs
• Approx. 150 students involved and forwarded by police for College adjudication – Feds/State declined student
prosecution
Evidence ?
In police work we call this a clue…
Federal Charges• Owners of IA Federally
charged:– During 1 year, IA showed
$2.3 million in gross receipts
– Over $300,000 in asset forfeiture
• All 3 pled guilty of immigration fraud conspiracy and other charges– Jail time
Federal Charges• Strayer staff
member getting kickbacks
• (~$37K) for creating fake transcripts on official Strayer correspondence was charged in Federal court
NOVA Internal Task Force Findings1. Issues with document delivery/receipt (I‐20s, transcripts,
and verifying documentation)2. Issues with changes and updates to I‐20s3. Campus D.S.O. roles4. Multiple databases used (SEVIS, SIS, Access)5. Lack of procedures for staff and adequate staffing 6. Lack of training/development for staff 7. Poor coordination between 3 different English learning
programs (workforce, college ESL program, & academic)
Lessons Learned• Pervasive throughout U.S.
according to suspects • State/federal laws and student
conduct codes did not adequately address IA’s (and other companies’) fraudulent actions State Code for transcript fraud may be a
better criminal avenue Consider requiring English placement
testing for all international students Accept only sealed official transcripts
and/or official documents from TOEFL, IELTS
• Transcript audits may identify: Over representation of
same transfer colleges “Fake” colleges Same U.S. home
addresses Same classes Lack of English
proficiency comments by instructors and other students
Lessons Learned (cont.)• Coordination essential
– College officials (financial aid, student discipline, student life, admissions, etc.)
– Local police – ICE– Embassies– Attorneys– Commonwealth Attorney/Grand
Jury– Saudi Arabia Cultural Mission
(SACM)– Victim universities (Strayer &
Adams State)
• DHS not watching I-20 Students
• FBI was interested, but info was one-way
• Must also remember to protect the College brand.
Terrorists Enrolled Now What?
• Foreign -and native-born• No prior recognition or tracking by NOVA or
College Police• Former/current students charged with
terrorist-related incidents
2010 Waqar Khan, Ramy Zamzam, Umar Chaudhry, Ahmed Minni, Aman Hassan
All traveled to Pakistan to join the fight against American forces in Afghanistan.
2011 Yonathan Melaku Fired at the Pentagon, Marine Corps and Coast Guard recruiting centers
2012 Liban Haji Mohamed
Charged with providing material support and resources to al‐Shabaab
2015 Reza Niknejad Went to Syria to fight for ISIS
2016 Joseph Hassan Farrokh Attempted travel from U.S. to Syria to fight on behalf of ISIS
2016 Mahmoud Amin Mohamed Elhassan
Attempted travel from U.S. to Syria to fight on behalf of ISIS
2016 Mohamed Jamal Khweis ISIS defector indicted on charges of helping a terrorist organization (fighting for ISIS) after being captured by Kurds in Iraq.
2016 Mohamed Jalloh Plotting a domestic terrorist attack on behalf of the Islamic State
2016 Haris Qamar Attempting to provide material support and resources to ISIS
2017 Michael Queen Soufian Amri
Conspiracy to obstruct justice & false statements involving international terrorism, obstruction of justice in Qamar case.
2010 Paul & Nadia Rockwood
Violent jihad‐promoting & began researching possible targets for execution.Moved to AK. In 2010, he formalized his list (15 specific targets)Wife, Nadia, helped disseminate the list.
A Stranger in a Strange Land• First time abroad, to study at a Colombian university• Living with a Colombian family; minimum contact with
Americans• Stuck out like a sore thumb• Didn’t know culture• Spanish not very good: astounding language mistakes• Passport and money stolen on Day 2• Police not very responsive (US Embassy less so!)
Dealing with International Students • Trust• Constitutional Safeguards• Legal Safeguards• Title IX • It’s in our best interest to keep them safe and
feeling accepted
Challenges(like dealing with Millennials, but amplified)
• Fear/Negative image of the police– Instruments of oppression in own countries
• Potential radicalization on campus– No support structure; stay with own kind– New culture, some aspects of which may be offensive
• Cultural issues may be associated with criminality/Clery/T9 issues– Different concepts of male/female relations, entitlement vs.
merit, etc.• Politics of immigration
Bottom line: students are “under the influence”
Fear of the Police• Constitutional safeguards
– 1st Amendment (freedom of speech and association)– 4th Amendment (freedom against unreasonable search; concept of
consensual encounters)– 5th Amendment (no self incrimination)– 14th Amendment (Due process/equal protection under the law)
• Complaint/internal affairs processes (no retaliation/unbiased)• Concept of “protect and serve”
– Role of police in securing campus as key to ensuring successful academic environment
Sources of Misunderstanding and Behaviors(Problems for I/S and Police)
• Personal space
• Eye contact
• Gestures/non-verbal communications
• Punctuality
• Attitudes toward authority
• Attitudes toward diversity
• Attitudes toward gender and unwanted touching
The Politics of Immigration(combat through education)
• Probable cause• Balance/separation of
powers• Discretion• Equal protection/due process• Campus police are
independent from ICE operations
• No profiling: – do not know immigration status
before making a stop• Campus police actions do not
determine deportation decisions• Detentions/arrests are not for
punishment or motivated by hate– for keeping campuses safe
Strategies for Success• Minimize criminality due to cultural differences
– Outreach (provide info helpful to I/S, such as sexual assault, scams, larcenies, etc. via newsletter, presentations at clubs)
– Department diversity (national origin, race, gender, language) and officer training (diversity)
• Monitor the precursors to terrorism to– Promote situational awareness on campus– Pay attention to social media– Identify priority targets and exercise basic security– Integrated situational awareness (parking/facilities; student discipline)– Liaison with JTTF
Strategies for Success (cont.)
• Avoid/recognize/respond to visa/transcript fraud– Adequate staffing, policies/procedures, and training on indicators
• Full integration of I/S into college experience– Outreach (e.g., training, newsletter, attending student club meetings)– Mentorship/support student activities and clubs– Describe police role in enhancing education via safe campuses– Protections (constitutional, complaint process)– Friendly, accessible patrol on foot and bicycles– Culture of service to campus community (campus police are not feds)
Conclusion• Emphasis on:
– Serve as well as protect– Educate about safeguards
• Outreach is key– Newsletters/Mentorship/
involvement in clubs– Sensitivity/awareness of
officers• Diversity of department• Avoid isolation of international
students
• Integration/coordination with all college, local and federal stakeholders
• Pay attention to social media and news accounts
• Participation/relationship with JTTF
• Visa/transcript fraud is wide-spread; know signs and what to do (handout)
This is our Goal!
Texas
OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Texas
Educational Exchange Data from Open Doors 2016 INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Rank in U.S. Total
FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE
#3 82,184 (+8.7%)
ESTIMATED FOREIGN STUDENTS EXPENDITURE IN THE STATE**
$1,922,928,083
* Rankings include all 50 U.S. states in addition to Washington, D.C. ** Economic analysis produced by NAFSA: Association of International Educators based on enrollment data from Open Doors 2016. www.nafsa.org/eis
INSTITUTIONS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FOREIGN STUDENTS
Institution City Total
University of Texas - Dallas Dallas 8,145 Texas A&M University College Station 6,940
University of Texas - Arlington Arlington 6,169 University of Texas - Austin Austin 6,069
Houston Community College System Houston 5,649
LEADING PLACES OF ORIGIN FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE Rank Place of Origin % Total
1 India 24.1 2 China 17.6 3 Mexico 8.9 4 Vietnam 5.2 5 Saudi Arabia 5.0
AMERICAN STUDENTS ABROAD
TOTAL NUMBER OF U.S. STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS ENROLLED THROUGH INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE
2013/14 2014/15 14,946 16,605
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS
Exchange Program Fulbright Program Gilman Program 2015/16 2016/17 2014/15 2015/16
U.S. Students from colleges and universities in the state
51
51
187
239
Foreign Students at colleges and universities in the state
131
152
N/A
Virginia
OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Virginia
Educational Exchange Data from Open Doors 2016 INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Rank in U.S. Total
FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE
#16 19,549 (+7.3%)
ESTIMATED FOREIGN STUDENTS EXPENDITURE IN THE STATE**
$587,648,103
* Rankings include all 50 U.S. states in addition to Washington, D.C. ** Economic analysis produced by NAFSA: Association of International Educators based on enrollment data from Open Doors 201 www.nafsa.org/eis
INSTITUTIONS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FOREIGN STUDENTS
Institution City Total
Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg 4,020 George Mason University Fairfax 3,123
University of Virginia - Charlottesville Charlottesville 2,573 Northern Virginia Community College Annandale 1,855
Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond 1,703
LEADING PLACES OF ORIGIN FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE Rank Place of Origin % Total
1 China 26.3 2 India 12.6 3 Saudi Arabia 9.1 4 South Korea 6.4 5 Vietnam 3.2
AMERICAN STUDENTS ABROAD
TOTAL NUMBER OF U.S. STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS ENROLLED THROUGH INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE
2013/14 2014/15 10,023 10,400
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS
Exchange Program Fulbright Program Gilman Program 2015/16 2016/17 2014/15 2015/16
U.S. Students from colleges and universities in the state
53
49
48
44
Foreign Students at colleges and universities in the state
66
70
N/A
Pennsylvania
OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Pennsylvania
Educational Exchange Data from Open Doors 2016 INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Rank in U.S. Total
FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE
#6 48,453 (+6.0%)
ESTIMATED FOREIGN STUDENTS EXPENDITURE IN THE STATE**
$1,699,470,627
* Rankings include all 50 U.S. states in addition to Washington, D.C. ** Economic analysis produced by NAFSA: Association of International Educators based on enrollment data from Open Doors 2016. www.nafsa.org/eis
INSTITUTIONS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FOREIGN STUDENTS
Institution City Total
Penn State University - University Park University Park 8,084 Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh 7,051 University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia 6,221
Drexel University Philadelphia 3,984 University of Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh Pittsburgh 3,946
LEADING PLACES OF ORIGIN FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE
Rank Place of Origin % Total
1 China 38.8 2 India 15.0 3 Saudi Arabia 7.0 4 South Korea 5.8 5 Canada 2.5
AMERICAN STUDENTS ABROAD
TOTAL NUMBER OF U.S. STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS ENROLLED THROUGH INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE
2013/14 2014/15 19,039 18,927
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS
Exchange Program Fulbright Program Gilman Program 2015/16 2016/17 2014/15 2015/16
U.S. Students from colleges and universities in the state
112
110
108
99
Foreign Students at colleges and universities in the state
192
198
N/A
California
OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: California
Educational Exchange Data from Open Doors 2016 INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
Rank in U.S. Total
FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE
#1 149,328 (+10.5 %)
ESTIMATED FOREIGN STUDENTS EXPENDITURE IN THE STATE**
$5,215,216,463
* Rankings include all 50 U.S. states in addition to Washington, D.C. ** Economic analysis produced by NAFSA: Association of International Educators based on enrollment data from Open Doors 2016. www.nafsa.org/eis
INSTITUTIONS WITH THE HIGHEST NUMBER OF FOREIGN STUDENTS
Institution City Total
University of Southern California Los Angeles 13,340 University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles 11,513 University of California - San Diego La Jolla 7,556 University of California - Berkeley Berkeley 7,313
University of California - Irvine Irvine 5,647
LEADING PLACES OF ORIGIN FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS IN THE STATE Rank Place of Origin % Total
1 China 35.3 2 India 12.4 3 South Korea 7.2 4 Saudi Arabia 3.9 5 Taiwan 3.4
AMERICAN STUDENTS ABROAD
TOTAL NUMBER OF U.S. STUDY ABROAD STUDENTS ENROLLED THROUGH INSTITUTIONS IN THE STATE
2013/14
2014/15
29,177 30,142
STUDENTS PARTICIPATING IN U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE FUNDED PROGRAMS
Exchange Program Fulbright Program Gilman Program 2015/16 2016/17 2014/15 2015/16
U.S. Students from colleges and universities in the state
181
193 489
480
Foreign Students at colleges and universities in the state
369
369
N/A
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