DOS Issues Cable on Student Tracking - SEVIS
Posted Jul 05, 2002

Regular MurthyBulletin and MurthyDotCom readers may recall our May 17, 2002 article on SEVIS, Proposed Rule on Foreign Student Reporting. SEVIS is an Internet-based system for the collection of information on students (F-1 and M-1) and exchange visitors (J-1). Available on a voluntary basis July 1, 2002, the system is expected to become mandatory and fully operational in early 2003. The INS issued an interim rule July 1, 2002 implementing the first phase of the certification process for access to SEVIS. The rule allows eligible schools to enroll preliminarily in SEVIS, provided they meet the established criteria set forth by the INS.

The U.S. Department of State (DOS) issued a cable in late June 2002 regarding the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). The cable notifies consulates that there is now a new version of Form I-20 A-B/I-20ID, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for Academic and Language Students, and Form I-20 M-N/I-20IOD, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students. For J-1s Form IAP-66 will be replaced by the renumbered Form DS-2019. The cable advises consular posts on the proper procedures for processing the new forms. Until SEVIS is a requirement, either the old or the new forms may be in use and will be considered valid. Once SEVIS becomes mandatory, however, only the new SEVIS-compatible forms will be permitted.

Once it is fully operational, the INS, DOS, authorized schools and J-1 sponsors will be able to access SEVIS over the Internet. The SEVIS database will contain information regarding enrollment, graduation, program compliance, program transfer and other important data. Consular officers will be able to confirm I-20 and DS-2019 information via SEVIS. If they issue an F, M, or J visa, they will be able to record this information using SEVIS.

Similar measures to track all nonimmigrants and closely monitor foreign nationals entering the U.S. have been proposed recently in various bills introduced in the U.S. Congress. None of these bills for either the regular registration of foreign nationals or to impose other restrictions has passed so far. Such proposals as these and the SEVIS system's becoming mandatory by January 30, 2003 are indications, however, that the U.S. government intends to more closely monitor and track those seeking to enter our shores.