News Releases and Statements
News Releases and Statements
Based on data extracted from SEVIS July 7, international student enrollment at U.S. schools increased 5.5 percent compared to July 2015. In July, there were 8,673 U.S. schools with SEVP certification to enroll international students, about a two percent decrease from the previous year.
The report, released Friday by SEVP, highlights March 2016 data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a Web-based system that includes information about international students, exchange visitors and their dependents while they are in the United States.
Twenty-one brokers, recruiters, and employers were arrested Tuesday from across the United States, who allegedly conspired with more than a thousand foreign nationals to fraudulently maintain student and foreign worker visas through a “pay-to-stay” New Jersey college.
On Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security published amended regulations on optional practical training (OPT) for certain international students with science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) degrees from U.S. institutions of higher education.
The final rule replaces the existing 2008 interim final rule, and amends the current regulations at 8 C.F.R. parts 214 and 274a, regarding OPT for F-1 nonimmigrant students who have completed a STEM degree. The rule posted to the Federal Register Wednesday, March 9, 2016, for public inspection and will go into effect Tuesday, May 10, 2016.
The report, released Thursday by SEVP, highlights November 2015 data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a Web-based system that includes information about international students, exchange visitors and their dependents while they are in the United States.
With the new class, SEVP now has 58 field representatives. Field representatives manage territories in one of three U.S. regions – eastern, central and western. Once fully staffed, each region will have 20 field representatives, for a nationwide total of 60.
ICE announces the Secretary of Homeland Security has suspended certain regulatory requirements for F-1 nonimmigrant Nepalese students who are experiencing severe economic hardship as a direct result of the April earthquake in Nepal. This relief applies only to students whose country of citizenship is Nepal and who were lawfully present in the United States in F-1 status on April 25, 2015, and enrolled in an institution certified by ICE’s SEVP.
By increasing access to OPT for STEM students, the proposed regulations will help U.S. colleges and universities remain globally competitive in attracting international students in STEM fields. It also reforms the program to better ensure that practical training opportunities are designed to meet student needs, while requiring greater accountability of employers and students.
9 percent increase in international students, 32 percent increase in students from India since 2014
Suresh Hiranandaney, 61, Lalit Chabria, 54, and Anita Chabria, 50, each pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy to commit student visa fraud; one count of conspiracy to commit student fraud, and one count of conspiracy to commit student financial aid fraud. Each count carries a maximum of five years in prison. The defendants’ sentencing date is scheduled for Sept. 10.
In order to be certified by SEVP to enroll international students, U.S. schools must nominate a designated school official to serve as a liaison between the school and SEVP.
The United States attracts and welcomes foreign citizens to our nation's higher educational institutions. In fact, according to a recent Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) report, there were more than 1.1 million nonimmigrant students studying in the United States as of February 2015; the majority of whom were from China, India and South Korea.
Based on data extracted from SEVIS Feb. 6, 1.13 million international students, using an F (academic) or M (vocational) visa, were enrolled at nearly 8,979 U.S. schools. This marked a 14.18 percent increase in international students when compared to January 2014 data. The number of certified schools remained relatively static, increasing just more than one percent, during the same time period.
The three defendants allegedly ran a "pay-to-stay" scheme through three schools in Koreatown – Prodee University/Neo-America Language School; Walter Jay M.D. Institute, an Educational Center (WJMD); and the American College of Forensic Studies (ACFS) – and a fourth school currently operating in Alhambra, Likie Fashion and Technology College.
Keshav Mukund Bhide, 24, departed on an international flight Wednesday afternoon from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport. Special agents from HSI and the FBI escorted Bhide to the airport and confirmed his departure. He cannot return to the U.S. for 10 years.
The field representatives serve as a key resource for schools on the SEVP certification and recertification processes, and they educate schools on the program's rules and regulations and federal laws governing international students studying in the United States.
Based on data extracted from SEVIS Oct. 7, 1.11 million international students, using an F (academic) or M (vocational) visa, were enrolled at nearly 9,000 U.S. schools. This marked a nine percent increase when compared to October 2013 data.
As of July 8, 966,333 international students were enrolled in nearly 9,000 U.S. schools using an F (academic) or M (vocational) visa. This marks a nearly five percent decrease from April, primarily due to graduation rates, but an eight percent increase when compared to July 2013.
The SEVIS 6.17 release includes a name standardization impact report, which provides school and exchange visitor program officials with a list of names that do not meet the naming standards that SEVP plans to implement in April 2015. Names with special characters, non-Roman alphanumeric characters and extra spaces will not meet the new standards.
U.S. schools must complete the Web-based Form I-17, "Petition for Approval of School for Attendance by Nonimmigrant Students," before they can enroll international students. This form consists of several fields about the school, including its full legal name, mailing address, type of educational programs offered, accreditation information and more.
The revamped site also features streamlined navigation and a blog geared to international students and school officials. Users can translate the site into multiple languages.
PDSOs and DSOs play an important role in the national security process. They enter data into the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) on behalf of U.S. schools. It's essential this information is accurate and current since it is used by law enforcement and government agencies, when necessary.
When international students and visitors travel to the United States, they receive a Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record," at their port of entry. The Form I-94 serves as evidence that they have been lawfully admitted to the United States. International students and visitors need this record to verify alien registration and immigration status and obtain employment authorization. New this month, these individuals can access their five year travel history on the Form I-94 website.
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), part of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement's (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), released "SEVIS by the Numbers," a quarterly report of international students studying in the United States, Wednesday. The report is based on data from the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a Web-based system that includes information on international students, exchange visitors and their dependents while they are in the United States.
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