We decided centuries ago an educated populace is vital to maintaining a civilized, productive society.
When it comes to Democracy, none other than Thomas Jefferson said:
"An educated citizenry is a vital requisite for our survival as a free people."
Although imperfect--and expensive--our colleges and universities are among some of the world's best.
People come from all over the globe to obtain degrees from American institutions.
Many stay here to implement what they were taught, investing in our country's intellectual and economic capital. Some return to their homes to help use their knowledge to improve their fellow citizens' lives.
We praise people for seeking out opportunities to learn because education is empowering.
For every dollar we spend on a student's education, we receive a seven-fold return on investment.
Obtaining an education is hardly the worst thing someone can do.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) knows this.
It also knows the F-1 visa program allows foreign students to work in this country with student visas.
That's why it created a phony university in the Farmington Hills suburb of Detroit promising technology and computer graduate studies to entice undocumented immigrants who thought they were simply abiding by our expectations.
Since January, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has arrested 250 foreign students enrolled in the "University of Farmington."
Despite staffing the "college" with undercover agents and presenting a link to it on the DHS website and on the site of an accreditation agency, ICE is claiming recruiters and prospective immigrant students were aware it was fraudulent since they were never required to complete any coursework and the school did not actually employ teachers nor maintain curriculum, classes, or educational activities.
Texas-based attorney defending some of the 250 arrested, Rahul Reddy, told theDetroit Free Press:
"[DHS] trapped the vulnerable people who just wanted to maintain (legal immigration) status. They preyed on them."
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