Transcript Document

Student and Exchange Visitor Program

NAFSA Regional Conference Region XII October 11, 2005

*** NEWS FLASH ***

CONGRATULATIONS!

THE DATA FIX BACKLOG FOR F/M TICKETS HAS BEEN ELIMINATED!

• Effective September 30, 2005 – we met our goal! There are no F/M data fix tickets older than 90 days • By October 31, 2005 – SEVP expects to have no F/M tickets older than July 1, 2005 and August 1, 2005 for J tickets • Ultimate goal – no data fix tickets older than 10 days 2

Data Fix Backlog Elimination Plan

Since its implementation, SEVP has resolved and closed all F/M backlogged tickets over 90 days. SEVP and DoS continue to concentrate efforts on the elimination of J backlog tickets.

• Data fix tickets backlog on April 1, 2005 = 6022 • Cumulative totals of F/M/J data fix tickets resolved from April 1 to September 30: – Resolved/closed backlog F/M Tickets = 5254 – Resolved/closed current F/M Tickets = 4236 – Resolved/closed backlog J Tickets = 2090 – Resolved/closed current J Tickets = 581 3

Ratio of Students/EVs to open backlog data fixes

800,000 600,000 400,000 200,000 0 636,821 0% 0 214,830 846 .394% Students Student Backlog EVs EVs Backlog

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Upcoming SEVIS Releases

• Release 5.1 – Scheduled for December 2005 implementation. Will contain functionality for users to correct some errors to prevent data fix requests. • Release 5.2 – tentatively scheduled for 2 nd quarter of FY2006. This is a system security release to ensure SEVIS is maintained according to mandatory DHS standards.

• Release 5.3 – system maintenance release (no user impact) • Release 5.4 – tentatively scheduled for early Fall 2006. This release will include additional SEVIS Alerts and Lists, as well as functionality to support the latest professor and J scholar program regulations. 5

Recertification

• Border Security Act of 2002 requires recertification of all SEVIS-certified schools every two years.

• After the proposed rule is published, the public will have an opportunity to comment.

• Schools will have ample time to submit recertification petition.

• Schools will maintain authority to issue the Form I-20 during the review period as long as the petition/fee are filed in accordance with the rule.

• Recertification includes a review of school performance within SEVIS over the previous two years – recordkeeping, data fixes, advertising, etc.

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Policy Update

• Regulatory review and issuance • Policy Initiatives – Short-term study guidelines – F3, M3 Border Commuter Students • Current SEVIS Operating Instructions – SEVIS I-901 Fee – Travel – School Certification – Employment – Hurricane Katrina/Rita 7

Planned SEVIS Operating Instructions • Employment : OPT and CPT • Social Security and Tax Information • Updated Travel • How to Stay in Status • Transfers 8

FY 2005 I-901 Fee Statistics

• Credit card / debit card via Internet • Check or money order mailed to lockbox • Western Union QuickPay • Bulk filers • Check fee payment online • 545,000 payments – 51% students – 49 % EVs

Lockbox 2% Western Union 2% Bulk Filer 15% Credit Card 81%

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Case Resolution Unit (CRU)

• Contact at [email protected]

• Major duties - Preventive – Resolves application errors to process maximum number of applications – Requests are generally processed within 7-10 days of receipt.

– Refunds are much quicker than credit card company chargeback – Resolves other problems via e-mail or telephone 10

Outreach/Training Efforts

• Web-based SEVIS training deployed on August 22, 2005 • Newsletter online at www.ice.gov/sevis • Opened international dialogue through DOS • Identifying and interacting with new stakeholders • Monthly policy and IT conference calls • Attend more than 40 conferences per year • Continue to regularly update our web page … Bookmark for current information 11

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Hurricane Katrina/Rita

• SEVP immediately responded by using SEVIS to identify 36 impacted certified schools and 3,000 students • Within 24 hours of Hurricane Katrina, SEVP began to work with impacted students and schools to assist in transferring students to other certified schools • SEVP created emergency evacuation tips for schools and students • Long Term Response: Develop contingency plan and guidance to schools for their own contingency planning.

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Lessons Learned

• We learned that we can rely on you- if we can reach you.

– Take the time to review your point of contact information.

– Update as necessary.

– Consider using two DSOs.

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For Hurricane Related Issues

• Call the toll free line at 1.800.961.5294 or • Call 202.305.2346, prompt 0 or • Email: SEVIS.Source @dhs.gov

Please use the subject line to describe the issue 15

Contact Information

• I-901 questions: Check the web or email SEVP at [email protected]

or call the hotline at 785.330.1048 (Country code 011) • Student questions: Contact the P/DSO listed on the I-20 • EV questions: Contact the RO/ARO listed on the DS-2019 • Technical questions: Call the SEVIS HelpDesk at 800.892.4892 between 8 AM and 8 PM, EST or email [email protected]

• Urgent, technical issues: Email [email protected]

• School Certification questions: Email [email protected]

or call 202.305.2346 or fax at 202.353.3723

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Contact Us

If you have a comment or question not covered in the previous topic areas: Email: [email protected]

– Use the subject line to describe the issue 17

Thank You Your comments and suggestions are the key to continued improvement of SEVP service to the SEVIS community.