Solutions to OPT and STEM OPT allegations of INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) fraud related to AZTech, Wireclass, Global IT Experts, and Findream
INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) fraud related to AZTech, Wireclass, Global IT Experts, and Findream
Over the past three years, tens of thousands of F1 visa students have been permanently banned from returning to the United States pursuant to INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i). Some students were refused visas at the Embassy abroad and others have been removed from the country from US immigration. The reason? Their connection to companies like AZTech, Wireclass, Global IT Experts, and Findream while in OPT status.
OPT is a 12-month work authorization available to F1 visa holders who have been full-time students for at least two consecutive semesters and plan to seek employment in the United States in their fields of study. Certain F-1 students who receive science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) degrees may apply for a 24-month extension of their post-completion OPT. A job offer is not required to apply for OPT but foreign students are only allowed a cumulative total of 90 days of unemployment. Many students who had trouble fining employment within 90 days of obtaining their OPT turned to companies such as AZTech, Wireclass, Global IT Experts, and Findream who offered to train and place them in positions within their field. For many of these students who accepted these offers were asked to pay for training that was never provided and the promised job placement never occurred. Because these students reported that they found employment through one of these companies but, through no fault of their own, never actually obtained employment, ICE, USCIS, and the US Embassy have taken the position that these students are guilty of immigration fraud.
Those accused of fraud under INA 212(a)(6)(C)(i) received a lifetime ban from entering the United States and those who were also removed from the US received an addition bar of reentry of five years or longer. Fortunately for these students, there are several ways to overcome this ground of inadmissibility. The first being a nonimmigrant visa waiver. A nonimmigrant visa waiver provides temporary forgiveness of a past fraud charge. Another option is to dispute the fraud accusation with the relevant government agency that levied the fraud accusation. We have successfully helped many clients connected with alleged OPT fraud obtain waivers or getting the fraud charges removed from their records. This is not an easy or simple process but it is very rewarding to clear an innocent person’s name. Victims of fraud should not be banned from the US. If you have a similar case or would like to avoid this potential problem, contact our office through our website or give us a call at 305 515 0613. We look forward to helping you win your case like we have for thousands of other clients.
In: INA § 212(a)(6)(C)(i), OPT