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US Test-Taking Case Shows Gap in Visa Security
Bv GILLIAN FLACCUS, ASSOCIATED
S
ANTA ANA, Calif. (AP)
— A ring accused of help-
ing people from the Mid-
dle Kast obtain student visas by
taking their proficiency exams
and classes has exposed vulnera-
bility in the nation's security
tracking system for foreigners
who attend U.S. schools, experts
said.
The bust unsettled immigra-
tion authorities and federal law-
makers who implemented the
sophisticated Foreign Student and
F-!xchange Visitor Information Sys-
tem after learning one of the Sept.
11 hijackers had entered the U.S.
on a student visa.
Immigration offieials have
broken up similar fraud rings in
recent months in Miami, Orange
County, California, Atlanta and the
Los Angeles area. Many involved
Korean students.
The scrutiny of foreign stu-
dents once they arrive on a U.S.
campus is a "serious chink in the
armor" of the system, said Janice
Kephart, former counsel to the
Sept. 11 Commission and the
national security policy direetor at
the Washington-based Center for
Imniierdtion Studies.
PRESS WRITEK
"Vulnerability with universi-
ties remains a top issue," she said.
"It's a clean way to come into the
U.S."
Federal prosecutors charged a
California man with operating a
ring of illegal test-takers who
helped dozens of Middle Eastern
nationals fraudulently obtain and
keep U.S. student visas in
exchange for tens of thousands of
dollars.
Authorities allege Eamonn
Iliggins., 46, and about a dozen
associates helped the students stay
current on their immigration
paperwork by attending classes in
their name, writing term papers
and taking fmals with guaranteed
grades of'B' or above.
The case also alarmed Rep.
Cius M. Bilirakis, a Florida Repub-
lican who became interested in the
student visa tracking system after a
2007 case at the University of
South Florida.
Bilirakis, a ranking member
the Fiouse of Representatives
homeland security oversight and
investigations subcommittee, is
sponsoring a bill that would
require in-person interviews of
foreign students every 30 days
April 5, 2010 m 5
have not suggested the California charged with conspiracy to com-
ring was linked to any terrorism. mit visa fraud. Ten more have been
Authorities have not ruled out fur- placed in deportation proceedings,
ther arrests in the ongoing investi- and immigration ofilcials are
gation, said Virginia Kice. an ICE searching for more than 30 more
spokeswoman. still believed to be in the U.S.
Authorities said professional Authorities believe Higgins
test-takers used doetored driver's may have helped hundreds of stu-
licenses to gain entry to exams, dents between 2002 and 2009 and
including a language proficiency have evidence linking him to 119
test that foreign students from non- names, said Debra Parker, acting
English speaking countries must deputy special agent in charge for
pass to qualify for an F-) student U.S. Immigration and Customs
visa. Enforcement in Los Angeles.
This photo released U.S. Ten schools — seven commu- The extent of tbe investigation
Immigration and Customs nity colleges and three California raises critical questions about how
Enforcement (iCE) shows State University campuses —
evidence of fake test much responsibility colleges
were affected. should bear in confirming the
scores and California
identification cards after In one instance, Higgins col- identities of foreign students.
they were confiscated lected $34,000 to take a ftill course Universities have resisted tak-
from a California man. load for a Saudi Arabian student ing on too much responsibility for
named Mohammed Ali AInuaim immigration enforcement beeause
during the school year and every and several of his friends then hag- of privacy issues and limited
60 days during nonacademic gled with AInuaim over payments resources to do such work.
periods. by e-mail, according to court doc- "This is a constant arms race."
"Obviously this process that uments. said Stewart Baker, former under-
we set up is not working and we Prosecutors allege that some of secretary for policy with the
have to find a better way," he said. the clients traveled to the Middle Department of Homeland Securi-
"They have to be here for the right East muhiple times and gained re- ty. "The DUS will have to make
reasons, going to school, other- entry to the U.S. by applying for a some tough decisions about bow
wise they should be deported." student visa and registering to much more responsibility for per-
Offieials with U.S. Immigra- study at a different college. forming identity cheeks they want
tion and Customs Enforeement Six of the students have been to place on universities." •
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