ICE Provides Guidance for Students Impacted by Katrina Posted Sep 16, 2005  ©MurthyDotCom The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding students who have been impacted by Hurricane Katrina. These questions are not generally for J-1 exchange visitors or for Fs and Ms who are able to contact their schools, but are rather for those Fs and Ms who cannot contact their schools. These FAQs may be periodically updated. Therefore, while we provide highlights below, we recommend that those MurthyDotCom and MurthyBulletin readers who are affected also review the FAQs at the ICE WebSite and check it frequently for changes.  ©MurthyDotCom What if one has not yet entered the U.S. and was to study in an area affected by Hurricane Katrina?  ©MurthyDotCom ICE recommends that the student not travel to the United States until s/he can confirm that the school is operational. A new student who cannot reach the school prior to the report date, which is listed in block 5 of the SEVIS Form I-20 (I-20), can expect the school to provide a new report date if that school is operating. The school will also provide a new I-20. The new form must be obtained before the student travels to the U.S.  ©MurthyDotCom If a new student decides to change schools, the new school will have to issue a new I-20. The student will need to obtain a new visa showing the information on the new I-20, as well. The student will not need to repay the SEVIS I-901 fee, if this fee has already been paid.  ©MurthyDotCom If a continuing student cannot reach his or her school, the student must eMail the SEVP at <SEVIS.source@DHS.gov>. The eMail should provide the student's name, date of birth, SEVIS ID number, school information, and whether the student plans to delay entry until the school is operational or intends to transfer to another school. If the student does not have eMail, s/he instead should call 202.305.2346. If another school accepts a transfer student, the new school will work with the SEVP to transfer the student's SEVIS records.  ©MurthyDotCom How can one learn if a school has been closed and what should be done about it?  ©MurthyDotCom ICE has a list of schools in the area affected by Hurricane Katrina that indicates whether the schools are operational. It is best to consult this list routinely, as it will be updated when ICE has additional information.  ©MurthyDotCom Some schools have specifically indicated that they will accept displaced F-1 students. An informal list of schools accepting displaced students is available online. Not all schools on the list are SEVIS-approved, however. The list of SEVIS-approved schools can also be accessed online.  ©MurthyDotCom When is a new visa required?  ©MurthyDotCom A new visa is required for a student if the visa expires while the student is outside the U.S., if the student changes visa categories, or if s/he is a new student and decides to go to a different school.  ©MurthyDotCom What happens if a new student is not enrolled in school?  ©MurthyDotCom If a new student has entered the United States but was not enrolled in the program of study prior to the hurricane, s/he must either transfer or leave within 30 days of the program start-date. If classes are scheduled to begin later, the student must report to the school when it reopens, if it is opening for this fall term, transfer to another approved school, or depart the United States.  ©MurthyDotCom How does one replace a Form I-20?  ©MurthyDotCom The school should be able to reprint an I-20 for a student who has lost the Form. If the school is not able to reprint the I-20, the student should contact the SEVP at the contact information above.  ©MurthyDotCom What happens in the case of a job lost while on OPT?  ©MurthyDotCom A person working on Optional Practical Training (OPT) who has lost the job due to Hurricane Katrina may seek alternate employment. Changes in employment should be reported to the Designated School Official (DSO). If the school cannot be reached, the individual using OPT should contact the SEVP at the contact information above. © 2005 The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C. All Rights Reserved
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