11/05/2004
The SEVIS
program enables CBP Officers to access more and better information allowing them
to quickly process legitimate students and exchange visitors through the ports
of entry. Those students and exchange visitors registered in the program no
longer have to present extensive documentation on paper forms for CBP Officers
to review. However, failure to provide documentation and comply with entry/exit
procedures is cause to refuse the student or exchange visitor admission into the
United States. At the discretion of the CBP Officer a Form I-515A, Notice to
Student or Exchange Visitor, may be issued, which authorizes temporary admission
for 30 days into the United States and requires the student or exchange visitor
to take immediate action to submit proper documentation.
1. SEVIS OUTREACH
The
Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) has made a significant effort to
involve all stakeholders in international student and exchange visitor
communities. The program is designed to keep our nation safe while facilitating
the international learning process for foreign students and exchange visitors in
the United States. To this end, SEVP not only holds bi-weekly stakeholder
conference calls to provide an update on the system, but also proactively
solicits feedback and suggestions from these stakeholders on ways to improve
SEVIS. A number of these suggestions have been implemented into the program.
DHS also
sponsors outreach events, attend academic conferences, and meets with
stakeholders to address any issues that may arise and to keep the public
informed of SEVIS progress. DHS has also worked with the State Department to
develop informational brochures and fact sheets for international students and
exchange visitors.
2. SEVIS PROGRESS
SEVIS
allows the United States to collect and manage information on foreign students
and exchange visitors by maintaining up-to-date data that can be accessed
electronically. SEVIS has simplified what was once a manual process, resulting
in more accurate and timely data, faster processing and fewer delays for student
and exchange visitors. SEVIS, fully implemented shortly after the creation of
DHS, was the first automated system in the nation that created this management
capability for visiting students.
In June
2004, the Government Accountability Office (GAO), Congress’s investigative
arm, issued a report on the performance of SEVIS and concluded the system
performance has improved. Even before the GAO report was completed, SEVIS had
taken the initiative to make eight significant process improvements. SEVIS has
also updated its reporting databases to ensure improved access to information
and better service this fall when processing numbers are expected to increase.
The E-Gov
Institute awarded SEVIS a Pioneer Award in recognition of the program’s
improved operations and streamlined processes. SEVIS was one of only 15
government entities recognized for this achievement, out of more than 150
government agencies.
3. SEVIS FEES
The 1996
law that mandated the establishment of SEVP and SEVIS also required the program
be funded through the payment of fees. The implementation of a $100 fee for
international students, exchange visitors and scholars attending school or
conducting research in the United States will take effect September 1, 2004.
Students, scholars and exchange visitors from abroad whose schools or programs
are approved in SEVIS will be required to pay the appropriate fee – in most
cases, $100 -- prior to obtaining their visas, making the program fee based.
The
purpose of the fee is to cover the costs for the continued operation of the
Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), including the administration and
maintenance of SEVIS. The fee applies to F, J and M nonimmigrant
classifications; however, participants in certain J-1 exchange visitor programs
will pay a reduced fee of $35 or be fee-exempt. The fee will also fund the
establishment of a cadre of liaison officers to help school administrators and
students use SEVIS more effectively.
4. SEVIS RESPONSE TEAMS (SRTs)
Congress
mandated that all non-immigrant students and exchange visitors attending SEVIS-approved
schools and programs be required to register with the SEVIS system by August 1,
2003. Anticipating that many schools, individual students and exchange visitors
might have difficulty meeting this compliance date, ICE and CBP created a joint
special SEVIS Response Team (SRT) to assist students and exchange visitors who
may not have been registered in the SEVIS system by the deadline.
The SRTs
worked with CBP inspectors, academic institutions and individual students and
exchange visitors to resolve issues related to admission into the United States.
Between August 2003 and February 2004, the SRTs experienced a dramatic decline
in the volume of cases and calls – an indication that SEVIS is working. A May
2004 SEVIS process improvement enhanced the volume of SEVIS data made available
to CBP inspectors at ports of entry. This data further assists CBP inspectors in
determining the admission eligibility of international students arriving to the
United States. This is also an indication that schools and programs were
successful in ensuring that students and exchange visitors have the SEVIS
documentation required for entry into the United States.
SEVIS
improvements, including a SEVIS Help Desk, have made the need for these teams
unnecessary this fall. However, the SEVP will have resources dedicated during
this period to address any issues regarding SEVIS and the admission of students
and exchange visitors.
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