why we must care - campus safety...

International Students on Campus Why We Must Care

Presenters Chief Dan Dusseau

Northern Virginia Community College Lt. John Weinstein

Northern Virginia Community College

Bottom Line Up Front Visa/transcript fraud is a serious problem

Costly Injurious to Colleges

brand Multi-dimensional Uncoordinated

Based to an extent on faith

Conducive to fraud Potentially

dangerous

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

NOVAs Challenges Largest of VA Comm. Coll. Systems

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 CCIPs 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

Do we have a Problem? Student letter, dated, February 17, 2014, to Dean Hello, Im 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 dont 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

Why We Must Care 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)

Case Background In July 2013, NOVAs International Student Affairs

Office Coordinator reported a problem with a student on an F-1 student visa Students record had a hold (unfulfilled

requirement) which prevented him from getting an I-20 (student visa)

Discovered possible fraudulent English proficiency transcript and visa fraud involving I-20

I-20 Student Visa

Get accepted by a school

Pay SEVIS fee & receive I-20

Complete F-1 visa application

Attend visa interview at embassy

F-1 visa approval

I-20s (cont.) If education requirements not completed in time, Designated School Official

(DSO) can terminate students in SEVIS Student must be actively enrolled in school (ESL or degree program) must maintain passing grades must demonstrate English proficiency to be accepted to NVCC degree-

granting program Documentary proof: transcript from another College/University equivalent

to NVCCs ENGL111 Failure to meet standards may result in:

F-1 status termination Requirement to leave U.S.

English proficiency requirement encouraged students to look for a quick fix.

Investigation Process Interviewed the student who admitted

having spent $1200 for a third party to handle the education requirements

$1200 more was due when I-20 requirements were completed

Student had a payment receipt Investigation identified Integrated

Academics as company charging students for an I-20

Company caters to I/S: advertises various student services, such as securing college admissions and providing academic advising/tutoring

NVCC PD & DHS task force established 5,000+ hours dedicated to case

NVCC PD audited ~200 I/S population student records/transcripts

Investigative Findings NVCC PD found official and

unofficial transcripts in question, primarily from Strayer, Keiser, and Adams State universities

Transcripts were secured and submitted by Integrated Academics (IA) (often with altered names/DOBs)

Majority of NVCC 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) Paid IA $6,000.

Multiple warrants served on IA for computers, documents and cash/other proof; also a search warrant at Strayer for documents

Investigative Findings Found NVCC tests with answers and

emails explaining how IA would handle full course loads and costs

IA provided fraudulent transcripts to students who failed to meet English proficiency standards ($2,400/student)

IA had student ID #s, accounts, and email addresses; corresponded with NOVA

IA paid professors/others to complete NOVA tests (sometimes on-line from Washington State IP address)

Students used the companys address and conspirators home address as their own

Company had templates of official transcripts on computers created > 58 Strayer Univ. transcripts

Found documentation broken down by name of class, students in class, NOVA students ID and password information

Tutors completed coursework Approximately 150 students involved and

forwarded by police for College adjudication Feds/State declined student

prosecution

Federal Charges Strayer staff member

getting kickbacks (~$37K) for creating fake transcripts on official Strayer correspondence was charged in Federal court

Federal Charges IA owners charged federally:

During 1 year, IA showed $2.3m in gross receipts

Over $300,000 in asset forfeiture

All 3 pled guilty to conspiracy, immigration fraud, and other charges Jail time

NOVA Internal Task Force Findings 1. Document delivery/receipt of I-20s, transcripts, and verifying

documentation not controlled 2. Authority to make changes to I-20s not clear 3. Campus Designated Security Official (DSO) role confusion 4. Multiple databases created confusion/needless redundancy and

lacked coordination 5. Lack of procedures and adequate staffing caused inconsistencies 6. Lack of staff training/development generated ad hoc solutions 7. Poor coordination between 3 different English learning programs

(workforce, college ESL program, academic) created gaps

Lessons Learned This fraud is pervasive throughout

U.S. according to suspects State/federal laws and student

conduct codes did not adequately address IAs (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.) At urging of police, College created

internal task force and revisited policies, structure, and staffing

Coordination essential with internal and external partners

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)

Lack of consistency across campuses about acceptance of transcripts: To level up from ESL to credit To meet prerequisites

DHS not watching I-20 Students FBI was interested, but info was

one-way Remember to protect the College

brand.

Dealing with International Students

A Stranger in a Strange Land First time abroad, to study at a Colombian university Living with a host family; minimum contact with Americans Didnt know culture

Stuck out like a sore thumb (dress, accent, mannerisms) Spanish not very good: astounding language mistakes Passport and money stolen on Day 2 Police not very responsive (US Embassy less so!) Confusion, frustration and resentment!

Dealing with International Students Trust Constitutional Safeguards Legal Safeguards Title IX Its in our best interest to keep them safe and

feeling accepted

Challenges (like dealing with Millennials, but amplified)

Fear/Negative image of the police Often 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 Creating a sense of community in which all students have a stake.

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 (reduce apprehension 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

Are There Terrorists On Campus? 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.

Strategies for Success Minimize criminality due to cultural differences

Outreach (provide info to I/S, such as sexual assault, scams, larcenies, etc. via newsletter, presentations at clubs, new student orientations)

Department diversity (national origin, race, gender, language); officer training (diversity)

Monitor precursors to terrorism to: Promote situational awareness on campus (integrate Parking, Facilities, etc.) Overcome unwillingness to report suspicious behavior Pay attention to social media Identify priority targets (e.g., CARVER) and harden security Integrated situational awareness (parking/facilities; student discipline) Liaison/MOU with local responders, JTTF and Fusion Center Create atmosphere so I/S have stake in system; feel they can approach police TTX with campus community leaders and local responders

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) Create a sense of belonging

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!

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

OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Pennsylvania

Educational Exchange Data from Open Doors 2016

INSTITUTE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION

Rank in U.S.

Total


#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


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


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



2013/14

2014/15

19,039

18,927


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


192

198

N/A

Texas

OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Texas


Rank in U.S. Total



$1,922,928,083




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



2013/14 2014/15 14,946 16,605




51

51

187

239


131

152

N/A

OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Texas



Rank in U.S.

Total


#3

82,184

(+8.7%)


STATE**

$1,922,928,083





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


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



2013/14

2014/15

14,946

16,605


Exchange Program

Fulbright Program

Gilman Program

2015/16

2016/17

2014/15

2015/16



51

51

187

239



131

152

N/A

California

OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: California


Rank in U.S. Total


#1 149,328 (+10.5 %) ESTIMATED FOREIGN STUDENTS EXPENDITURE IN THE STATE**

$5,215,216,463




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


1 China 35.3 2 India 12.4 3 South Korea 7.2 4 Saudi Arabia 3.9 5 Taiwan 3.4



2013/14

2014/15

29,177 30,142


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

OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: California



Rank in U.S.

Total


#1

149,328

(+10.5 %)


STATE**

$5,215,216,463





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


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



2013/14

2014/15

29,177

30,142


Exchange Program

Fulbright Program

Gilman Program

2015/16

2016/17

2014/15

2015/16



181

193

489

480



369

369

N/A

Virginia

OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Virginia


Rank in U.S. Total



$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



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


1 China 26.3 2 India 12.6 3 Saudi Arabia 9.1 4 South Korea 6.4 5 Vietnam 3.2



2013/14 2014/15 10,023 10,400




53

49

48

44


66

70

N/A

OPEN DOORS FACT SHEET: Virginia



Rank in U.S.

Total


#16

19,549

(+7.3%)


STATE**

$587,648,103


** Economic analysis produced by NAFSA: Association of International Educators based on enrollment data from Open Doors 201

www.nafsa.org/eis


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


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



2013/14

2014/15

10,023

10,400


Exchange Program

Fulbright Program

Gilman Program

2015/16

2016/17

2014/15

2015/16



53

49

48

44



66

70

N/A

International Students on CampusPresenters Bottom Line Up Front Visa/transcript fraud is a serious problemOur GoalsNOVAs Challenges Evolving Immigration Environment Top 10 Places of Origin of I/S in US Do we have a Problem?Why We Must CareCase BackgroundI-20 Student VisaI-20s (cont.)Investigation ProcessInvestigative Findings Investigative Findings Federal ChargesFederal ChargesNOVA Internal Task Force FindingsLessons LearnedLessons Learned (cont.)Slide Number 21A Stranger in a Strange LandDealing with International Students Challenges(like dealing with Millennials, but amplified)Fear of the PoliceSources of Misunderstanding and Behaviors(Problems for I/S and Police)The Politics of Immigration(reduce apprehension through education)Are There Terrorists On Campus?Now What? Slide Number 29Slide Number 30Slide Number 31Slide Number 32Slide Number 33Strategies for SuccessStrategies for Success (cont.)ConclusionThis is our Goal!Pennsylvania TexasCaliforniaVirginia

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