We are always with you; The Indian Embassy opened a hotline for detained students in the US

With the commitment of safety of overseas Indians, the Indian embassy in the US has opened 24/7 hotline to assist the students who are arrested by American authorities in Pay-and-Stay University visa scam.

As many as 129 Indians are among 130 foreign students arrested for enrolling at Fake University allegedly to stay in the US.

The University in Detroit’s Farmington Hill was part of an undercover operation by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) intended to expose immigration fraud, as per a statement by Federal Prosecutors who announced charges in the case.

Embassy of India, Washington and all five consulates in the US working closely together to help Indian students detained in the US, stated the Indian Embassy on Friday. Indian Embassy has appointed a Nodal Officer to handle and coordinate all issues related to helping Indian students affected by shattering of the ‘Pay-and-stay’ racket run by a group of Indians that has put some students under trouble.

The two numbers – 202-322-1190 and 202-340-2590 – would be manned by senior embassy officials round the clock. The arrested students, their friends, and family members can contact the embassy at cons3.washington@mea.gov.in.

Yesterday, India said it is monitoring the situation arising out of detention of Indian students closely and have impressed upon the US Government the need to address the situation at the earliest.

In response to media queries on the detention of Indian students, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said, India has accorded highest priority to the detention of Indian students. He said, Indian Mission and posts are ready to render all assistance to Indian students to deal with the emerging situation and has also involved Indian community organizations in reaching out to the students.

On this whole issue, Special Agent Charge Francis stated, “ these suspects aided hundreds of foreign nationals to remain in the US illegally by helping to portray them as students, which they certainly were not. HIS remains vigilant to ensure the integrity of US immigration laws and will continue to investigate this and other transnational crimes.”

Some friends and families of the detained Indian students are using Twitter seeking help from the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.

COURTESY :- NEWS BHARATI