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[nahia]

NEW DELHI: The United States on Thursday said it was "working hard" to assist Indian students facing hardships after the closure of California-based Tri-Valley University (TVU) and resolve the issue in "a fair and just manner".

"As a parent of four children, I can imagine what parents are going through. They are worried about their children and worried about the students' performances and their opportunities," US ambassador to India Timothy J Roemer told reporters after meeting Union home minister P Chidambaram here.

During the 30-minute meeting with Chidambaram, Roemer is understood to have discussed several bi-lateral issues including the TUV case. He, however, refused to take questions on any other issue.

On the TVU issue, Roemer said the US strongly supported the participation of Indian students in American schools. "In fact, we are very proud of their participation in our academic lives and our economy. Secondly we are working to resolve the issue in fair and a just manner. This is very important. We are working hard in resolving it," Roemer said.

According to a federal complaint filed in a California court in January, Tri-Valley University had helped foreign nationals illegally acquire immigration status. The university is said to have 1,555 students. As many as 95% of these students are Indian nationals.

Eighteen students were asked to wear radio tags by the US immigration authorities after the university was closed on charges of massive visa fraud. The radio tags of five of the students have since been removed.