Miami Language School Owner Busted for Visa Fraud
Foreign nationals never went to class but still got student visas
Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 | Updated 10:57 AM EST
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BEIJING - AUGUST 05: Elderly Chinese women learn English during a language lesson at a community center on August 5, 2008 in Beijing, China, ahead of the Olympic Games which will open on August 8. The Beijing Speaks Foreign Languages Programme (BSFLP) was launched in 2002 to create a good English speaking environment and international communication atmosphere for Beijing to host the 29th Olympic Games. The Chinese Government has launched many BSFLP activities across the whole city for all walks of life during the last several years. (Photo by Andrew Wong/Getty Images)
The owner of a South Florida language school will serve 15 months in prison for helping illegally obtain student visas for foreign nationals who never came to class.
Lydia Menocal of Miami pleaded guilty in June to conspiring to make false statements on immigration documents. She had faced up to five years in prison at her sentencing on Friday.
The U.S. Attorney's Office says Menocal also must serve two years of supervised release and pay the U.S. the $600,000 she made from the conspiracy.
Federal immigration authorities say the investigation into Menocal's Florida Language Institute in Miami led to the arrest of 116 student visa holders who now face deportation.
Another school employee was sentenced to a year of probation for failing to report a felony.
Copyright Associated Press
Posted Tuesday, Aug 31, 2010 - 8:08 AM EST
