Federal Appeals Court Reverses Decision in Lawsuit Over Fake ICE University

Federal Appeals Court Reverses Decision, Allows Lawsuit Against Fake ICE University to Proceed

In a surprising turn of events, a federal appeals court has overturned a lower court decision that had previously dismissed a lawsuit filed by a student who was deceived by a fake university set up by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The ruling, handed down by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit on June 25, paves the way for Teja Ravi and others to seek justice over the fraudulent scheme.

The fictitious University of Farmington, part of an undercover operation by ICE, made headlines in 2019 when eight individuals were indicted in Michigan on charges of visa fraud and “harboring aliens for profit.” The university, which was advertised online, offered no classes, curriculum, or educators, according to court documents.

Ravi, a citizen of India living in Houston at the time, applied to the fake school in 2018 and alleges that he was never reimbursed his tuition. He filed a class action lawsuit on behalf of himself and other students, claiming breach of contract. Ravi and two other prospective students mentioned in the suit paid tuition fees ranging from $10,000 to $15,000.

Despite a lower court judge dismissing Ravi’s suit earlier this year, the appeals court reversed the decision, citing case law and precedent regarding the government’s engagement in agreements similar to those formed by private parties. Attorney Anna Nathanson, representing the students, expressed optimism about the ruling potentially impacting hundreds of individuals affected by the fake ICE university.

ICE ceased operations of the fraudulent school in 2019, acknowledging it as a sting operation targeting individuals involved in an “illegal pay-to-stay scam.” The eight defendants charged in the investigation were sentenced to prison terms in 2020 for their roles in the conspiracy to recruit foreign citizens for the fake university.

Ravi, who enrolled in hopes of earning a master’s degree in information technology, left the U.S. and returned to India after the university was exposed as fake. The appeals court decision now allows Ravi and other affected students to have their day in court and seek restitution for the deception they endured.