Over the last few days, there have been reports about hundreds of Indian students in the US facing the prospect of deportation after Tri-Valley University, California, was raided and shut by US authorities. The University had illegally issued hundreds of visas to Indian students.

Of the 900 Indian students who are likely to be deported, 750 are from Andhra Pradesh. This has led a representative of the Telugu Association of North America (TANA), who identifies himself as Prasad, to post tips online to caution students from being duped by fraudulent universities.

Sunday MiD Day spoke to students who have been abroad for further studies or are planning to, about what precautions they have taken.

Paritosh Mehta, a student of filmmaking, who was studying in Australia two years ago, said, "The best precaution is to stick to the law of the land and not indulge in illegal activities like working outside the campus if you don't have a work visa."

Ashwini Swamy from SP Jain Institute who is planning to pursue a course in Canada, says background search is crucial. "I have had chats with professors and ex-students who have studied at the I intend to apply to."
Anil Garg, MD of Tour India Tours and Travels, said he always advises students to run a background check on foreign universities.

Rajesh Arjun, proprietor of travel agency Arjun International, said that while a majority of students opt for the best universities foru00a0 a post-graduation in their chosen field, less than 5% students who apply to second grade universities with the sole intention of landing a job, marrying or settling abroad, face problems similar to those at Tri-Valley. "Some students apply to the best universities, and soon get a transfer to a cheaper, mediocre university, and begin working illegally," he said.