Ban on dubious language schools sought

Currently, more than 50 Thais have been arrested in the United States after they enrolled in a California language institute. Their offences are about overstaying a visa, or not sitting in class long enough per week or working during their course against the conditions of their visas.

For the holders of a F1 visa, they must sit in class for at least 18 hours a week. If their institute does not conduct classes for that many hours, the students risk being arrested.

It is reported that some 200 Thai students at this same institute are now living illegally in the US. They have gone into hiding to avoid arrest.

"The Foreign Affairs Ministry should prepare a list of certified language institutes for Thai students," Bangkok MP Ratchada Thanadirek said yesterday in her capacity as the spokeswoman for the House committee on foreign affairs.

She said Thai students should immediately seek help from the Thai Embassy if they find that they hold an F1 visa but their language school conducts classes for less than 18 hours a week.

Ratchada said Thai students should carefully check their visa type, its conditions and the practices of any language school to avoid running into trouble.

Ratchada said the arrested Thai students have just three options. Firstly, they can return to Thailand immediately by paying for their own tickets. They will have no right to visit the US again over the next three to five years. Secondly, if they have no money to pay for tickets, they can plead guilty and wait for the US authorities to decide when to deport them. Thirdly, they can ask the Thai Embassy to find them a lawyer to help them fight their case in court.

This option is for those who want to prove that they are innocent.

"If they have no money, the embassy will pay for the lawyers' fee first but they will have to pay it back later. During their legal battle, they will also receive US$50 (Bt1,635) in financial assistance per week," Ratchada said.