The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) arrested 129 Indians for enrolling in a fake university allegedly to remain in America.
The foreign students were arrested for enrolling at the University of Farmington.
The fake university was set up by the DHS's investigating unit as part of the sting operation to bring to light the "pay-and-stay" racket.
It had no classes, a low tuition fee and gave work permits on the very first of the enrolments of the students.
It had some 600 students, an overwhelming majority of whom are Indians.
The U.S. maintains that all participants in this scheme knew that the University of Farmington had no instructors or classes.
They were aware they were committing a crime in an attempt to fraudulently remain in the United States.
This would, in effect, mean a wilful violation of the immigration laws to stay and work in the United States.
The External Affairs Ministry, India says that 8 of the individuals who ran this racket are either Indian citizens or Indian-Americans.
However, most of these students have joined to get their work permits without knowing that this college is not accredited and became victims of this.
More than a million international students study at US institutions each year, including approximately 196,000 Indian students last year.
Indian students bring in about $6 billion per annum and also become instrumental in creation of thousands of jobs in the US.
So the recent event is a black spot in the proud history of India-US educational exchanges.
Students who are eligible to pursue studies at an authorised university in the U.S. should get a further opportunity and not be subjected to summary deportation or humiliation.
The decisions must not affect the prospects of such students who may apply in future for legal entry.
The efforts of youth looking for better prospects abroad should begin with due diligence and strictly follow the letter of the law.
There is a need for better communication to help students identify credentialed institutions that meet the requirements of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.