It is reported that four China students suspected of cheating in TOEFL are facing deportation. These four students were arrested and prosecuted by the federal government in May this year. American prosecutors later offered the option of plea bargaining, that is, if the defendant pleaded guilty, he could be deported in exchange for imprisonment. At present, three of them have pleaded guilty.

On September 1 day, American media reported that Wang Yue, a gunner hired by Cheng, took the TOEFL English proficiency test on 20 15 and 20 16, and then was admitted to American universities.

The four men were accused of conspiring to defraud the United States. At present, Cheng, Wang Yue have agreed to accept plea bargaining. Cheng Mengxiao pleaded guilty in Boston federal court and was sent to the immigration detention center. He was sent back to China on Friday. Zhang Shikun and Wang Yue will hold a hearing in the next three weeks.

Assistant US Attorney William Sowell said that Huang Leyi refused to accept a similar agreement. Huang's lawyer did not respond to Reuters's request for an interview.

William B. Weinreb, Boston's acting attorney general, said in May that "cheating in the TOEFL language test has damaged academic integrity and the student visa program in the United States." "Students (hiring exams) spend money to buy grades, which violates the exam rules and takes up the opportunity for American colleges and universities to admit others."

Cheng, Huang studied at Arizona State University, Northeastern University and Pennsylvania State University respectively, while Wang Yue, who took the exam, was a student of Holt International Business School.

* * * The crime of conspiring to defraud the U.S. government is punishable by up to five years' imprisonment, plus three years' supervised release and a fine of $250,000.

The punishment is quite heavy.