The recently-closed University of Farmingham, like its predecessor the University of North New Jersey (UNNJ), was a sting operation conducted by the Department of Homeland Security. Designed to catch fake F-1 students, neither university employed any instructors, offered any curriculum, or held classes. Therefore, students who enrolled were likely aware their fees were buying false documentation, not an education. (Both the NNJ and Farmingham stings were instituted under the Obama administration.) As of February 4th, 130 Farmingham “students” had been arrested and now face deportation.

In a different kind of F-1 fraud a few years ago, Tri-Valley University offered on-line courses and charged students tuition and fees for an unaccredited diploma program. Although the university unlawfully profited from its practices, students attended class and had good reason to believe the program was genuine. As a result, most were reinstated – though the university president was sentenced to 16 years in prison.

The lesson for foreign students is to be vigilant about the programs they enter, and to do personal research into each possibility. Is the program accredited? Does it have a history in the news media? Does it have an alumni group one can contact? And, as the saying goes, “If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.”

If you are desperate for another solution, the best way to find one is to consult a qualified immigration attorney. Even there, checking credentials is a good idea.