ICE Call Terrifies F-1 Student: Threat or Scam?

An F-1 student recently received a shocking phone call from someone claiming to be an ICE officer. The caller said the student’s I-94 record was incomplete and needed urgent correction.

Caller Claimed to Be From ICE

The scammer gave a name, a fake badge number, and claimed that unless the student fixed the issue immediately, the case would be forwarded to the local police.

Scammer Used Spoofed Numbers

To appear genuine, the caller told the student to check the Enforcement and Removal Office on the official ice.gov website. Their caller ID even showed a number from a police precinct in Nashville, Tennessee.

Experts Warn of Immigration Scams

Experts confirmed this as a common immigration scam. USCIS and ICE never call applicants to demand action or payment. These scams aim to create panic and then demand money from victims.

Common Scam Variations

In another version, scammers claim someone is misusing the applicant’s Social Security Number. Such tactics exploit fear and urgency to trick victims into sharing personal details or making payments.

What Students Should Do

Experts advise students to hang up and block such numbers immediately. Only the school’s DSO is responsible for updating an F-1 student’s I-94 record, not the student.

Immigrant Vulnerability Abroad

These scams show how easily international students can be targeted. Fraudsters use sophisticated methods to exploit confusion and fear among immigrants living abroad.