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SEVIS
Initial SEVIS Implementation Complete – Spring
2004
This message has been prepared by the International Students
and Scholars Office (ISSO) to update the Boston University
community on the Student and Exchange Visitor Information
System (SEVIS).
Boston University has been aware of the development of
SEVIS since the tracking program was first mandated by the
Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act
(IIRIRA) of 1996. Boston University’s International
Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) began using SEVIS on
January 30, 2003, working throughout the spring and summer
of 2003, to enter information on Boston University’s
nearly 5500 continuing international students and scholars
into the tracking system and to reissue each student in F
or J status a new SEVIS immigration document in advance of
the government deadline.
A number of key offices across the University cooperated
with the ISSO to ensure a smooth transition to the new system.
In preparation for SEVIS implementation, Boston University
:
- Modified and enhanced the University Information System (UIS) to
ensure that records will be retained, updated and reported
- Purchased a commercial software package to transmit
the required information to the SEVIS system
- Briefed Boston University faculty, staff and administrators
of SEVIS requirements
- Held forums with many administrative offices to consider
SEVIS implications to policies and procedures
- Trained the ISSO staff on new regulations and SEVIS
procedures
- Held a series of information sessions for continuing
Boston University students to communicate regulatory changes
and procedures affected by SEVIS
- Instituted a network of offices to assist the ISSO in
completing the required semester verification of all continuing
students at the beginning of each semester
- Enhanced information on the ISSO website to better communicate
policies and procedures to the Boston University community
Benefits and Requirements of SEVIS
The real-time electronic tracking of students through
SEVIS will assist the International Students and Scholars Office
as well as related government agencies to have up-to-date information
on international students at Boston University.
The implementation of SEVIS:
- Allows the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – which
includes U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS),
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (USCBP), and U.S. Immigration
and Customs Enforcement (ICE) – to maintain updated
information on F-1 students and J-1 students and scholars,
along with F-2 and J-2 dependents.
- Allows Boston University to communicate required information
to the DHS through secure, encrypted Internet transmissions.
- Allows U.S. Department of State (DOS) officials at U.S.
embassies and consulates abroad and U.S. Immigration and
Customs Enforcement officials at ports of entry to the
United States , to view SEVIS records created for students,
exchange visitors and their dependents.
Immigration regulations pertaining to the upkeep of SEVIS
require:
- New F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors
and F-2 and J-2 dependents to report to the ISSO with their
immigration documents upon arrival in the United States
.
- All continuing F-1 students to complete
semester verification within 15 days of each required semester
so that the ISSO can report the student’s continued
attendance at Boston University .
- The ISSO to keep updated records on each student and
exchange visitor within the SEVIS database (see list of
reportable events below)
SEVIS link to Boston University’s Information System
(UIS)
SEVIS is a web-based system established for data collection.
Therefore, it is very important that information regarding
students and exchange visitors on record at the ISSO and
in the University Information System (UIS) be completely
up-to-date. USCIS regulations require that certain events
affecting immigration status be reported. ISSO advisors will
monitor updates before they are sent to SEVIS, after which
UIS will automatically send certain information to SEVIS.
Failure to maintain accurate records with the University
may result in technical violations, which might have significant
consequences for the immigration status of students, scholars
and exchange visitors.
Any exceptions to the regulations (such as enrolling less
then full-time, even during the student’s last semester)
will need to be pre-approved by an ISSO advisor so that SEVIS
does not report the student as being in violation of status.
Students, scholars and exchange visitors should work closely
with the ISSO to make certain they comply with all F or J
regulations.
Reportable Events in SEVIS
Boston University will report to the government
only information required by federal law.
For F-1 students, this includes all the information listed
on the student’s USCIS Form I-20: legal name, country
and date of birth, country of citizenship, USCIS admission
number, major, program of study, level of education, expected
commencement of studies, date of completion, information
on F-2 dependents, and sources of funding.
For J-1 students, scholars, and exchange visitors, USCIS
requires the reporting of all information on Department of
State Form DS-2019 (formerly IAP-66): legal name, city, country
and date of birth, country of citizenship, country of residence,
program sponsor, dates of program commencement and completion,
information on J-2 dependents.
The University will also be required to report information
on academic, disciplinary, or other events that affect a
student or exchange visitor’s nonimmigrant status.
For F-1 students, these reportable
events include, but are not limited to:
- Registration/enrollment each school term
- Leaves of absence, suspensions, or withdrawals from school;
- Authorized and unauthorized drops below a "full course
of study", as defined by
USCIS
regulations;
- Resumption of a "full course of study" after an authorized
drop;
- Employment off campus;
- Dependent information
- U.S. residential address changes
- Changes in major, program of study, or expected completion
date
- Transfer to a new college or to a new degree level
- Periods of authorized and unauthorized employment
- Termination/disruption of optional practical training
- Reinstatement to status after any violations
- Termination of F-1 status due to degree completion, change
of status, failure to maintain status, or other reason
For J-1 visa holders, reportable actions include, but are
not limited to:
- Extensions
- Reinstatements
- Changes of category
- Changes of status
- Replacement of a lost form
- Amendments and corrections
- Change in school or sponsor
- Termination of studies or termination of participation
in an exchange program
- Change in funding
- Application for a new visa
Additional information on the Student and Exchange Visitor
Information System (SEVIS) can be found at the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) website at
http://www.ice.gov/sevis
Concluding Remarks
With the implementation of SEVIS, it is more important
than ever for students, scholars, and exchange visitors to
understand and comply with the regulations pertaining to
their status and to ensure that their information in UIS
is accurate and complete. The staff of the ISSO is committed
to helping nonimmigrant students, and the broader Boston
University community, understand changing regulations, as
well as to assisting students, scholars and exchange visitors
in taking advantage of certain benefits available to them
in F or J status. As always, we are pleased to provide
nonimmigrant students, scholars and exchange visitors with
information, counseling, and assistance so that they can
maintain lawful F or J status in order to achieve their educational
goals at Boston University .
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