Eminent American Sikh announces entry into politics US lawmakers seek fair treatment for Indians detained in visa fraud
Gurinder Singh Khalsa
WASHINGTON DC: Eminent Indian-american Gurinder Singh Khalsa, who recently won the prestigious Rosa Parks Trailblazer award, has decided to enter electoral politics.
“An interest in public policy based on my past experiences along with the desire to give back to my community are among the prevailing factors as to my decision to run for office,” Singh told his supporters in Indianapolis on Wednesday after announcing his plans to run for City Council of Fishers.
A resident of the Fishers community in Indiana for over a decade, Khalsa is a prominent business leader, entrepreneur, and philanthropist who has worked with public service leaders and organisations across the state and nation.
“I want to be a part of giving back through public service,” he said according to a press release issued Wednesday.
Asked why he decided now was the time to run for council, Singh responded, “I have met many trailblazers who have made a difference in the lives of others through their work in public service.”
“My experience in business operations and the ability to bring a new voice to the table as we strive for forward-thinking visions and goals for the community will be an asset for Fishers,” he added.
Singh said he desires to invest in the very community that provided him with the same opportunities which have contributed to his success as a community leader.
“I desire to invest my time in Fishers working towards collaborating with others as we address the fast-paced growth of our community and inspiring others to get involved with the community, as well,” Singh said further. “My values center on the growth of our community and the voice of our community,” he reiterated.
Last month, Khalsa received the prestigious Rosa Parks Trailblazer award because of his courage and integrity displayed in May of 2007 when he was asked to remove his turban while attempting to board a flight in Buffalo, New York.
Following this incident, he worked towards bringing this issue to the attention of the US Congress, which later resulted in headgear policies being changed in airports nationwide. WASHINGTON DC: A bipartisan group of eminent American lawmakers has asked authorities to facilitate consular access to Indians held for enrolling in a fake university allegedly to remain in the US, and treat them fairly and humanely after the community raised concerns over the manner they were detained.
In multiple raids last month, federal authorities arrested 129 Indians an a Palestinian enrolled as students in the fraudulent university in Metro Detroit area.
The Farmington University was set up by the DHS’S investigating unit in Greater Detroit area to bust the “pay-and-stay” racket. Immigration attorneys claimed that they knew nothing about the varsity’s illegal operation and were trapped.
The US State Department said they were aware that they were committing a crime to fraudulently remain in the country.
In a letter, the lawmakers led by Indian-american Congressman Raja Krishnamoorthi urge the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to ensure students detained were treated properly and are afforded all rights provided to them under law, including access to an attorney and release on bond for those eligible.
Written by Congressmen Thomas Souzzi, Rob Woodall and Congresswoman Brenda Lawrence, in addition to Krishnamoorthi, the letter also asks the DHS and the ICE to share full details and regular updates regarding the Indian students with the Embassy and Consulates of India, and to facilitate consular access for the detainees.
The lawmakers express “concerns surrounding the recent undercover operation” conducted by Homeland Security Investigations, in which HSI special agents operated a fake university designed to target recruiters and foreign students believed to be engaged in immigration fraud.
According to the ICE, the investigation began in 2015, and HSI agents have been operating the fake school since 2017. As per the indictment unsealed last week, eight individuals served as recruiters for the school, enrolling hundreds of foreign nationals as students at the university.
These eight recruiters have been indicted for conspiracy to commit visa fraud and harbouring aliens for profit by the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan.
“The Indian-american community and Indian Consulate have expressed concerns regarding the treatment of these detained foreign nationals,” the lawmakers said.
“We urge DHS and ICE to ensure the detained students are treated properly and afforded all rights provided to them under the law, including access to an attorney and release on bond, if they are eligible,” the letter said.
“We further urge DHS and ICE to share full details and regular updates regarding the Indian students with the Embassy and Consulates of India, and to facilitate consular access for the detainees, the lawmakers said in the letter.
Noting that India is an important strategic partner and friend to the US, the lawmakers said in 2017, Indian students comprised 17.3 per cent of all international students in the country, numbering over 186,000. As such, these students are a vital pillar of the people-topeople exchanges between the two countries, and they come to the US on grounds of merit, they asserted.
“In the spirit of continuing cooperation on educational exchange programmes, which benefit both countries economically and culturally, we ask that you ensure the students involved in this case are treated fairly, humanely, and in accordance with due process”, the Congressmen said.
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