There are new developments surrounding foreign students who made serious allegations against an exchange program at Western Iowa Tech Community College. As Siouxland Public Media’s Sheila Brummer reports a resolution appears to be far from over.
Both sides of the controversy released letters on Thursday.
A majority of students who say they were mistreated by Western Iowa Tech and Siouxland-area businesses officially reached out to the Governor, U.S. Senators Grassley and Ernst, and the State Attorney General asking for an independent investigation.
On Monday, two advocacy groups claimed the college engaged in human trafficking by luring the students to Siouxland with free tuition, housing, food, then forcing them to work long hours at minimum-wage factory jobs to partially offset costs.
The letter spearheaded by Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement and The Catholic Worker is signed by nine of the eleven students who say they are victims. They claim there’s enough evidence to file felony criminal charges against WIT, J&L Services, Tur-Pak and Royal Canin and their top directors, executives and presidents.
They say the students, who were part of a J1 Visa Program, haven’t received justice and are still at risk for wage theft, forced labor, debt repayment, eviction and deportation.
At a news conference on Tuesday, the President of Western Iowa Tech, Dr. Terry Murrell, said he was saddened by the developments and the college was working with the students to secure new internships and to cover food expenses. Several student in the program attended to show their support to the college.
In a letter emailed to employees on Thursday, Dr. Murrell said he takes full responsibility for the problems that have developed and is working to repair the rifts that have been created with the students and the Siouxland Community. He says one of the biggest mistakes happened when the college did not have a strong enough command on the J1 visa process.
Sixty students originally took part in the program this school year. Dr. Murrell says the college knew things weren’t perfect and some of the students struggled. But, didn’t know the extent of the problems. Also, the U.S. State Department reviewed the program in November and modifications to the program were made, including reducing the length of the program by half, to one year.
Besides an investigation, the students also want long-term residency, no education debt, free college or transfer credit to any state college or university in Iowa and back payment of stolen wages.
The Iowa State Attorney General’s Office says its human trafficking coordinator is aware of the students’ situation and is offering assistance to victims’ services representatives. However, the office doesn’t have jurisdiction in the case.
The U.S. Attorney covering the Northern District of Iowa says he can’t confirm or deny if an investigation is underway. The Woodbury County Attorney hasn’t returned a call from Siouxland Public Media.
A spokesperson for the Sioux City Police Department says a detective is looking into the matter after being notified by a victim advocate. But, at this time there doesn’t look like there is a violation of the Iowa criminal code.
A special note, Western Iowa Tech Community College holds the broadcast license for Siouxland Public Media KWIT-KOJI.
Statement released by a spokesperson from the Iowa City Catholic Worker on January 24, 2020:
The letter signed yesterday by the students is their response to the college's outreach and overtures.
The new internships the school is offering would still garnish all wages above $7.25/hr in scholarship repayment, so the fundamental nature of the forced labor exploitation has not changed. The meal plans are not free but are paid for through the internship program.
Letter from Terry Murrel to employees at WITCC released on January 23. 2020:
Sent: Thursday, January 23, 2020 2:21 PM
To: AllEmployeeMail
Subject: Dear Staff at Western Iowa Tech Community College:
As you are aware, the J1 Visa program has come under intense scrutiny this week. Over the last few days we have been reviewing the J1 Visa process, our actions and communications throughout implementation, and come to an understanding of how we got to this point. I take full responsibility for the problems that have developed, and am working to repair the rifts that have been created with our J1 students and also with the Siouxland community. In reviewing the events leading up to this week, we have determined our biggest mistakes occurred because we did not have a strong enough command on the J1 Visa process, we rushed into the implementation phase too quickly, and I did not provide adequate oversight and guidance to those communicating with our staff. The errors made early in the process have resulted in negative consequences for our students. To rectify these errors, we are taking the following actions:
First and most importantly, we are ensuring a safe learning environment for all of our students and working with the J1 students to help them be successful in this program. As our employees and those who work most closely with our students, we ask that if you see any behaviors or actions that go against our desire for a caring and supporting learning environment that you inform me immediately.
We are re-evaluating and providing structure around our communication processes with our students. We are implementing more formal means of communication in order to eliminate confusion and decreasing the number of people who disseminate information about the program to a select few at the college.
We are covering meals for the J1 students with meals in the cafeteria and with gift cards. If you hear of any J1 student with limited access to food, inform me immediately.
I was touched by the number of you who were present at the press conference on Tuesday. I appreciate the support you provide to our students and I look to you to help them get through these challenging times.
