Expelled TCC Middle Eastern students still in US on student visas

A former Tulsa Community College student convicted of grade tampering now faces federal charges. But behind Tarig Al-Taweel's story, is the story of the 76 Middle Eastern students, who were allowed

Friday, November 15th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

A former Tulsa Community College student convicted of grade tampering now faces federal charges. But behind Tarig Al-Taweel's story, is the story of the 76 Middle Eastern students, who were allowed to stay in the country on student visas.

News on Six anchor Tami Marler says prosecutors say Tarig Al-Taweel "charmed" an employee at Tulsa Community College into changing grades for Middle Eastern students. Some fear "unqualified" foreign students are still entering the country, through a "loophole."

Tarig Al-Taweel could serve sixteen years for his part in altering the grades of 76 Middle Eastern students, some of who wouldn't have been allowed to stay in the country without his help. He still faces charges he falsified English proficiency scores, another requirement for foreign students to receive visas to study in America. Dr. Tom McKeon says Tulsa Community College welcomes students from all over the world.

Some faculty members say the college should be on "high alert" to make sure they, the students and the entire community are safe from harm. The October "Faculty Forum", says, "there are still students who have never turned in visas or Immigration files to prove that they are in the country legally." The report says that at least one current student should have been deported for not maintaining records with the INS.

Federal officials are investigating fraudulent immigration documents nationwide. Tarig Al-Taweel is also being investigated for visa and passport fraud. The Forum says that person has been a student for more than eight years, and that he's from a country in the Middle East that is listed as a country with the high possibility of potential terrorists infiltrating the US. A representative from the Forum would not go on camera, but stood by the paper's article. And claims that at least two current TCC students lack proper paperwork and one is even on the FBI terrorist list.

Tulsa Police Sergeant Tim Stadler says many of the students expelled from TCC after Al-Taweel's scheme unraveled are now enrolled in colleges in Arizona, New Jersey and other parts of the country. Tarig Al-Taweel faces federal indictments in Oklahoma and in New Jersey, for allegations ranging from passport and visa fraud and to threatening a federal witness.

Authorities are also looking into a threat made Thursday night. Tulsa Police say a news reporter who has been following Al-Taweel's case, found a message on his car that said. "you better watch your back, friends of Tarig." Investigators want to know who left that note.