Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is a Department of Homeland Security agency that promotes security and public safety in the United States through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration. ICE’s operating components investigate domestic and international activities arising from the illegal movement of people and goods, and enforce immigration laws in a fair yet effective manner.  ICE also plays an active role in ensuring the student visa system is preserved.  Taking the lead on this is Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) which is a component of ICE.

SEVP

SEVP collects, maintains, analyzes and provides information so only legitimate international students and exchange visitors gain entry to the United States. It also connects all government agencies involved in the international student process. Additonally, SEVP certifies schools to accept international students and manages the recertification process that all schools must go through every two years. A large aspect of SEVP’s mission is carried out through the management of  Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), a web-based data system.

SEVIS contains records on over 890,000 international students and their dependents, the schools where they enroll and the exchange visitor programs in which they participate. Designated school officials (DSOs) use SEVIS to generate the Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status,” for F and M students and to update students records when they request permission for employment, travel out of the United States or change their program of study or educational level.

All schools must be SEVP-certified in order to admit international students for a course of study. SEVP maintains a comprehensive database of certified schools. You can search for an SEVP-certifed school on the Study in the States school search page.  

Lastly, SEVP manages the SEVIS Response Center which provides information for academic officials and international students about U.S. rules and regulations with regards to student visas and SEVIS.  You can call the SEVIS Response Center at 703-603-3400 and its hours are Monday through Friday, 7:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ET, except holidays.