INS Testimony on Tracking Foreign Students
Posted Nov 30, 2001

Acting Deputy INS Commissioner Michael Becraft testified on October 31, 2001 regarding implementation of improved tracking of foreign students. Testimony was before the U.S. House of Representatives (House) Education Committee, Subcommittees on 21^st Century Competitiveness and Select Education .

As explained by the Deputy Commissioner, the present process, for both F-1 (academic) and M-1 (vocational or nonacademic) students, is paper-based and relies on the movement of paper forms. He conceded that the limited information that INS maintains regarding foreign students is on old technology platforms and is insufficient for today's purposes. Accordingly, INS is moving forward with a system known as the Student Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). ("Exchange Visitors" are J-1 holders, so it appears that J-1s are also included in this program.) According to Mr. Becraft, the implementation of the system has been delayed due to objections to the necessary student-tracking fee. Academic institutions and organizations that represent them had been the main sources of these objections.

According to the testimony, following the September 11^th, 2001 attacks the academic community has softened its opposition and has expressed a willingness to cooperate with the INS. INS intends to implement the SEVIS system prior to the January 2003 deadline set by Congress. INS has requested $11.7 million in funding for the first-year costs of the system. Thereafter, INS will develop and implement a fee structure to cover future costs. The SEVIS system will revise the admission process for foreign students.

Deputy Commissioner Becraft stressed the importance of coordination among government agencies in connection with intelligence gathering and information gathering and distribution systems. He emphasized that technology alone would not be sufficient to resolve the challenges faced by the government. He also pointed out the need to restructure the management of INS, as mandated by the President, and improve information technology systems to ensure timely and accurate determinations of those wanting to enter the U.S. and those wanting to apply for benefits under the immigration laws.

We hope to provide an update in the MurthyBulletin and on MurthyDotCom when further details on SEVIS become available.