An Update on SEVIS: Progress and Prognosis Patty Croom, Michigan State University David Austell, University of South Florida Copyright Patty Croom and David Austell, The work is the intellectual property of the authors. Permission is granted for this work to be shared for non-commercial, educational purposes, provided that this copyright appears on the reproduced materials and notice is given that copying is done by permission of the authors. To disseminate otherwise or to reproduce requires written permission from the authors,

Objectives Quick review of SEVIS Progress to date Current issues with SEVIS and benchmarking Planning for the future of SEVIS

Audience Assessment Familiarity with SEVIS? Using Batch? Testing? Planning? Size of School?

Overview of SEVIS Some Preliminary Basics: F-1, M-1, and J-1 Visa Classifications Forms, I-20AB, I-20MN, and DS-2019 Visa Form I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Passport Definition: Student and Exchange Visitor Information System

Overview of SEVIS, Cont. SEVIS is an Internet based system used to transmit information to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding foreign nationals present in the United States in F, J, and M visa classifications.

Overview of SEVIS, Cont. SEVIS was developed in response to security and intelligence concerns related to foreign students and researchers pursuing academic objectives in the United States. Visa types other than F, J, and M (for example A, B, H, and TN) are currently not included in SEVIS reporting.

Overview of SEVIS, Cont. SEVIS is operating under the auspices of the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (BICE/DHS). See Appendix 1 in handout materials. Department of Homeland Security The U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Services (INS) no longer exists.

Overview of SEVIS, Cont. In its place are three DHS Bureaus: BCIS: Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services BICE: Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement BCBP: Bureau of Customs and Border Patrol

Source: DHS Website with Addition by Dr. David Austell

Overview of SEVIS, Cont. SEVIS allows for periodic and event- related reporting. SEVIS Interacts with many different agencies, for example: The U.S. Department of State, universities, high schools, sponsoring agencies, embassies, consulates, ports of entry, others …

Source: BCIS Website

Overview of SEVIS, Cont. Historical and legislative context

SEVIS TIMELINE

Overview of SEVIS Operations Real-Time Interactive

Source: BCIS Website

Overview of SEVIS Operations, Cont. Batch Interface

Source: DHS Website

Source: BCIS Website

Overview of SEVIS Operations, Cont. Legal Authority 8 CFR 214.3(g) … INS Regulations 22 CFR 62 … DOS Regulations Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act (IIRAIRA, Section 641) USA Patriot ACT (Section 416) Enhanced Border Security and Visa Entry Reform Act (Section 501) Required Data (see Appendix 2)

SEVIS Rollout Beta January 2002 (F only) Proposed F regs June 2002 (F only) General Release July 2002 (F only) Batch Testing Fall 2002 Beta release J processing Fall 2002 Registration for SEVIS in order to be ready November 15, 2002 J regs and final F regs December 2002 Dropped “ADSO” Category Required use January 30, 2003

Current Status SEVIS in effect February 15, 2003 First production batches late January 2003 All students and scholars must be converted by August 1, 2003

Current Usage Registered: 4272 schools, 1288 programs Registered Users: 36,000 Using batch: 298 schools, 111 programs Testing batch: 227 schools, 120 program Total SEVIS records: 392,000 students, 120,000 exchange visitors (more than 100,000 created through batch)

Implementation Challenges-RTI Approval Training Bugs (e.g., I-20 showing up at other institutions!) Availability and Response Time Issues Fixing Problems is Difficult

Implementation Challenges-Batch Options ERP Software Specialized Software Home-grown Late availability of test environment Changing schemas, system problems and stability Many schools still planning batch Complexity of building interfaces and infrastructure to support batch

Other Issues on Campus Communications SEVIS Overall Policy evaluation and implementation Address Reporting Full-time status for ABD Refining procedures Relationships changing (ISSO, RO, IT, Admissions, others)

Other Issues on Campus, Cont. Process for scholars Registration reporting Summer reporting Improved change detection and alerts Student and scholar reactions Familiarity and use by POE personnel Living in an Atmosphere of zero tolerance

Other Implementation Challenges Imbedded rules Changing rules Increasing volumes (worst yet to come?) Problem feedback Help Desk Status of outstanding bugs

Other Implementation Challenges, Cont. Enforcement in period of system instability Refining, correcting, adjusting Release planning Business continuity planning

The Future Reporting enrollment, no-shows, etc. in upcoming semesters Additional regulatory changes Concept of Proof of Presence Fee ($95? $54? How collect?)

The Future SSN Issues (see Appendix 3) SAVE System SEVIS System NSEERS USVISIT

Summary and Conclusions Whirlwind implementation Immature product Design flaws to be corrected Batch just ramping up Sensitive political climate (and here to stay) Planning for change Planning for support

Summary and Conclusions, Cont Hope for improving product Release schedules Prioritization Communication Informal networks help Listservs NAFSA: Association of International Educators Relationships growing Lots more tuning needed

Questions?? Patty Croom: David Austell: