Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

1
Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

• Summer, 2002

2
SEVIS Program Objectives

• Capture, maintain, monitor information on
  students and visitors
• Reduce data errors
• Expedite data transfer
• Minimize fraud and increase security
• Provide for better information sharing
• (INS, DOS/Consular Sections, intelligence and law
  enforcement agencies)

3
SEVIS Historical Context

• 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
  Responsibility Act
• Mandated data collection program (F, J, M)
• Waives FERPA for these purposes
• Visa overstays, unlawful presence, and bars to
  re-entry
• No bar if less than 180 days
• 3-year bar if over 180 days, but less than 1 year
• 10-year bar if over 1 year

4
SEVIS Historical Context

• 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant
  Responsibility Act
• Bars F-1 status for public elementary or public
  adult education
• 12-month limitation for secondary education
• Students at public schools must also pay full,
  unsubsidized per capita cost

5
SEVIS Historical Context

• 1997 Initial pilot automation program
  (CIPRIS-Coordinated Interagency Partnership
  Regulating International Students)
• 2000 Student and Exchange Visitor Program
  established
• 2001 Software vendor conference
• 9/11/2001

6
SEVIS Historical Context

• Nov, 2001 USA PATRIOT Act (Uniting and
  Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate
  Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
  Terrorism)
• Intensifies data collection
• Provides up-front funding to establish the
  national tracking system for F, J, and M visa
  holders

7
SEVIS Historical Context

• May 2002 Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry
  Reform Act
• July 1, 2002 Voluntary participation
• January 1, 2003 Full implementation
• Consular sections, ports of entry, service
  centers
• January 30, 2003 Mandatory participation

8
SEVIS School Responsibilities

• Seek certification by INS and DOS
• Collect data
• Create, update, print student records
• Respond to compliance requests from INS and DOS

9
SEVIS Data Collection

• Existing (8 CFR 214.3)
• Name, date/country of birth, citizenship
• Address
• Student funding support for studies
• Status (Full- or part-time)
• Date of commencement of studies
• Degree program/field of study
• Practical training (start, end, full- or
  part-time)
• Termination of studies and reason
• Compliance with INS requests for information

10
SEVIS Data Collection

• Additional (SEVIS)
• Date and place of entry (bar-coded forms)
• Date of enrollment and termination of studies
• Notification of less than full course of study
• Start date of each term of study
• Number of credits completed per term
• Name, address, marital status changes
• Academic disciplinary action as a result of a
  criminal conviction
• Failure to maintain status or complete program

11
Current system
INS POE
SIS
Mail
Student
DOS
Other
ISSS
12
SEVIS
F I R E W A L L
INS
SIS
POE DOS Security
ISSS
13
SEVIS Summary

• Web-based automated tracking system, fully
  implemented on January 30, 2003
• Goal is greater confidence of documents
  authenticity when applying for a visa or entering
  the USA
• Name must be exactly as written on passport in
  English
• No tolerance for out of status
• Reduced ability of Foreign Student Advisors to
  correct the record

14
SEVIS Impact at Kent State

• Good news
• Concerns
• Discussion

15
SEVIS Status to date at KSU

• Good News
• Foundation is firm
• Professional staff in place with solid procedures
• Centralized data collection in place (SIS)
• Centralized document preparation (CICP)
• Mandatory health insurance (02F)
• SCT (vendor for SIS) already working on batch
  interface software
• Ad hoc working group tackling implementation
  issues

16
SEVIS Status to date at KSU

• Concerns
• All changes affecting student visa status must be
  surfaced immediately and submitted to INS with
  little (no) forgiveness for mistakes.
• Must seek preliminary certification by
  mid-August, which will be followed by formal
  certification by INS within next two years
• We need to be flexible and anticipate additional
  regulations and requirements as the
  administration and Congress continue to work with
  homeland security

17
SEVIS Foreseeable Steps

• Continue to work internally to ensure an
  integrated response
• Continue to work with SCT to ensure maximum
  compliance with SEVIS
• Seek preliminary certification prior to August
  16, 2002

18
Address reporting

• Any non-US citizen must report his/her address to
  INS within 10 days of a change in address
• Download form, fill in and sign, and mail
• http//www.ins.usdoj.gov/graphics/formsfee/forms/a
  r-11.htm

19
SEVIS Kent State University
Questions and Discussion