ICE Alleges Widespread Fraud in Major Foreign Student Work Program

More than 10,000 foreign students ‘claim to be working for highly suspect employees,’ according to ICE Acting Director Todd Lyons.

Todd Lyons, acting director for Immigration and Customs Enforcement, testifies on Capitol Hill in Washington on April 16, 2026. Madalina Kilroy/The Epoch Times

WASHINGTON—Trump immigration officials on May 12 revealed findings from a nationwide investigation into a common work program for foreign students, outlining allegations of suspicious work sites, “phantom employees,” financial inconsistencies, and evidence of transnational fraud.

Todd Lyons, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s acting director, told reporters that investigators “have identified over 10,000 foreign students who claim to be working for highly suspect employers.”