SEVP Field Reps Monitor F-1 and M-1 Schools

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is nearing its goal of fully staffing the field representative program. These representatives are involved with the F-1 and M-1 school certification process. They also play a key role in assuring school compliance with F-1 and M-1 related requirements.

Background: SEVP Certifies Schools and Monitors Students

SEVP is part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and is responsible for monitoring F-1 and M-1 students and administering the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVP is also responsible for the screening process required of schools seeking certification to participate in the F-1 and M-1 student programs.

Field Representatives

With the deployment of sixteen new, specially trained field representatives in December 2015, SEVP now has fifty-eight representatives throughout the United States. The plan is to have twenty field representatives in each of three U.S. regions, for a total of sixty representatives.

The field representatives work directly with the designated school officials (DSOs) in their assigned areas. The representatives are responsible for acting as a resource to schools seeking SEVP initial certification or recertification. They are also involved in educating DSOs, as needed, on foreign student-related laws and regulations, and they work to ensure the integrity of the data in the SEVIS system.

Conclusion

The availability of these field representatives is expected to provide another avenue of assistance to DSOs who must navigate the complexities of the SEVIS system and foreign student-related requirements. Of course, as part of ICE, SEVP is tied to monitoring and enforcement. The increased presence of field representatives also will likely help in the identification of schools engaged in practices that violate U.S. immigration law.

 

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Disclaimer: The information provided here is of a general nature and may not apply to any specific or particular circumstance. It is not to be construed as legal advice nor presumed indefinitely up to date.