Congressmen Thomas Souzzi, Rob Woodall, Raja Krishnamoorthi and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence sent a bipartisan letter to U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the treatment of detainees involved in the fake university in Michigan.

â€˜We strongly urge DHS and ICE to provide us with regular updates of the ongoing situation and ask that these students are afforded all rights provided to them by law. I will continue to remain engaged with authorities both at the federal and local level to ensure the humane and dignified treatment of these students,â€™ a statement by Rep. Lawrence said.

Meanwhile, Detroit Free Press reported how the fake â€˜University of Farmingtonâ€™ attracted prospective students with promises. â€˜It was a pleasure speaking with you,â€™ Ali Milani wrote to the student from India. â€˜Thank you for your recent interest in The University of Farmington, a nationally accredited business and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) institution. Here at the University of Farmington we have created an innovative learning environment that combines traditional instruction with fulltime professional experiences. We offer flexible class schedules and a focus on students who do not want to interrupt their careers.â€™

The email described the university as â€˜a nationally accredited institution authorized to enroll international students by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.â€™
Federal prosecutors allege that more than 600 students enrolled at the university knew it was improper, but the emails and attorneys tell a different story, according to the Free Press.

Undercover investigators with the Department of Homeland Security registered the University of Farmington with the state of Michigan as a university using a fake name.

At the request of DHS, a national accreditation agency listed the University of Farmington as being accredited in order to help deceive prospective students.
The university was also placed by federal investigators on the website of ICE as an university approved by them under a government program for foreign students known as SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program).

Out of the 600+ students who were enrolled, 146 have been arrested and detained by ICE on civil immigration charges. All are from India except for Najlaa Karim Musarsa, 29, of Dearborn Heights, who is Palestinian. She was released last week and went back to the West Bank.

In addition, prosecutors have charged eight people for being recruiters of the students, most of whom studied in engineering and technology fields.
The students in jails are not treated well, according to reports. They are not getting vegetarian food, though most of them do not eat meat or fish. ICE said it treats all humanely.

Congressmen demand fair treatment of Indian students in fake university case