Here to Help provides information on each of the government agencies that has a role in the international student process

March 2013 marks the 10th anniversary of the creation of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agency that was part of the “single-largest government reorganization since the creation of the Department of Defense.” To celebrate a decade of service, ICE will feature stories, videos, images and historical milestones on their website, Facebook page and Twitter feed.

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is a program in ICE that administers the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System and works with other government organizations with a need for information about F and M students. SEVP helps DHS and the Department of State monitor schools and exchange visitor programs as well as F, M and J nonimmigrants.

Over the past 10 years, ICE has developed into a premier law enforcement agency with more than 20,000 employees in all 50 states and in 47 foreign countries. On an average day, ICE contributes to DHS’s mission to protect the United States from national security threats by promoting homeland security and public safety through the criminal and civil enforcement of federal laws governing border control, customs, trade and immigration.

You can learn more about the history of ICE on their interactive timeline.