J-1 Updates Houston Forum | Fall 2016 Jenny J. Brydon Rice University

J-1 Updates Overview SEVIS Release 6.27 (July 2016) DoS Guidance Directive 2016-01 DoS Guidance Directive 2016-03 DoS Reposting Sanctioned Sponsor List Additional DoS Updates Advice from Dr, Adria Baker, PDSO

J-1 Updates: SEVIS Releases

J-1 Updates: SEVIS Releases SEVIS Release 6.27 (July 2016) CIP Table Widget Lists can be sorted by columns Simpler method for data entry for DS-2019 Ability to modify EV’s program end date for transferred J-1 records Updated online user manuals

J-1 Updates: Guidance Directive 22 CFR PART 62 – SEVIS FUNCTIONS: PROPER USE OF “SHORTEN” AND “TERMINATE” EXCHANGE PROGRAMS ------------------------------------------ In December 2015, SEVIS Update 6.23 removed the “End Program” function in Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) and revised the “Shorten Program” function. Regulations at 22 CFR § 62.13 require sponsors to notify the Department via SEVIS of the program status of an exchange visitor, including any withdrawal from, early completion of, or termination of an exchange visitor’s program.

J-1 Updates: Guidance Directive Guidance Directive 2016-03 9 FAM 403.11-3 – VISA REVOCATION ------------------------------------------ The Department would like to bring to your attention a policy implemented on November 5, 2015, which requires consular officers to prudentially revoke (i.e., without making a determination that the individual is inadmissible) nonimmigrant visas of individuals arrested for, or convicted of, driving under the influence or driving while intoxicated, or similar arrests/convictions, that occurred within the previous five years, as detailed in 9 FAM 403.11-3(A). This requirement does not apply when the arrest/conviction occurred prior to the date of the visa application and has already been assessed within the context of a visa application.

J-1 Updates: DoS Re-posting the Sanctioned Sponsor List On or about November 15, 2016, the Department intends to resume its practice of posting on its Exchange Visitor Program website (J1Visas.state.gov) instances in which the Department has exercised its authority, pursuant to 22 CFR § 62.50, to impose sanctions on an individual sponsor. The posting will include the following elements: • Sponsor name; • Affected program category • Date of imposition; • Nature of the sanctions; and, • List of the regulatory provision(s) the Department has found the sponsor to have violated. DoS welcomes feedback before October 14, 2016. Comments are anonymous and will be kept confidential. https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/GX3GMJP DoS is working on website…will include more information on the compliance and sanction processes.

J-1 Updates: DoS Department of State’s Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration’s Academic and Government Programs Unit (OPA-AG) Updates New Staff: Amanda Pascal, Carolina Peña, and Kati Garrison. Incident Reporting Rubric Clarifying the Difference between The Office of Designation Academic and Government Programs (D-AG) and The Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration Academic and Government Programs (OPA-AG)

J-1 Updates

The Office of Designation Academic and Government Programs (D-AG) Responsible for: Reviewing designation and re-designation applications Reviewing annual reports to acknowledge, assist, and to resolve sponsor’s issues or concerns to administer a successful program Assisting sponsors with J-visa related inquiries and requests for change of category, extension, reinstatements, or permission to issue Providing daily outreach to assist sponsors and to evaluate the effectiveness of program categories Reviewing program requests: Adding officials Amendments DS-2019 allotments Other matters regarding program administration Pay.gov Contact: AGexchanges@state.gov

Contact: AGalert@state.gov The Office of Private Sector Exchange Administration Academic and Government Programs (OPA-AG) Monitors and enforces full compliance with Department regulations and policies with a focus on exchange visitors’ health, safety, and well-being; and responds to complaints and incidents. Sponsors must promptly (on or before the next business day) notify the Department of any investigations of an exchange visitor’s site of activity or any serious problem or controversy that could be expected to bring the Department of State, the Exchange Visitor Program, or the sponsor’s exchange visitor program into notoriety or disrepute, to include: [22 CFR 62.13(d)] Potential litigation related to a sponsor’s exchange visitor program, in which the exchange visitor may be a named party Death of an exchange visitor Serious injury of an exchange visitor Sexual abuse allegations Exchange visitors or third parties may contact OPA-AG to file a complaint. Contact: AGalert@state.gov

J-1 Updates: Region III Conference From: Couch, Leanne [mailto:Leanne.Couch@unt.edu] Sent: Monday, October 03, 2016 10:14 AM To: nafsa3@utlists.utexas.edu Subject: [NAFSA Region 3] Call for Questions- U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Consular Affairs, & U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security, Customs and Border Protection Update   At this time, we are seeking questions or issues to share with Department of State and Customs and Border Protection in advance of the presentation at the bi-regional conference. We encourage comments from practitioners at all types of schools and with all levels of experience. Please send questions to Leanne Couch at Leanne.Couch@unt.edu by October 14th. As a reminder, if you see a trend or issue at any time, please submit it to “Report an Issue” via IssueNet. The IssueNet website is: http://issuenet.nafsa.org/. 

J-1 Updates: Tips from Dr. Adria Baker, PDSO Bookmark the NAFSA Resources website. http://network.nafsa.org/nafsa-resources Redesignation and Program Compliance. Don’t get discouraged! Give yourself extra time, Don’t depend on SEVIS Alerts to remind you about Redesignation. Ami Frey and the Office of Designation team are really helpful when you have questions. Annual Report: Describe in detail how your campus addresses insurance, compliance, cultural activities, etc. Interested in being on the National EV Subcommittee? Contact Adria@ abaker@rice.edu How is Subpart A impacting your campus/office?