ICE drops ‘uncontrolled’ fraud bombshell involving thousands of foreign students, ‘phantom employees’

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement has uncovered a massive fraud scheme involving over 10,000 foreign students connected to suspect employers through the federal STEM Optional Practical Training extension program. The program was meant for international students on F-1 visas to work temporarily in jobs related to their field of study. Investigators found empty buildings, locked doors, and phantom employees at alleged worksites.