Several of the missing Egyptian students apprehended around the United States over the past week told immigration authorities they had planned to live and work in the United States, a spokesman for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency said.

"Rather than seeking to attend the academic program in Montana, they actually were here to stay, get jobs, and earn money," said agency spokesman Dean Boyd.

The students did not pose "any credible or imminent threat," but the U.S. agency said it will seek to have them deported.