This month, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) celebrates its 12-year anniversary. 

The U.S. government established ICE in March of 2003 after Congress passed the Homeland Security Act in response to the tragic events of Sept. 11, 2001. ICE 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 also plays an active role in ensuring the integrity of the student visa system.

ICE’s Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) helps support that mission. SEVP monitors the more than one million international students pursuing academic or vocational studies (F and M visa holders) in the United States and their dependents. It also certifies schools and programs that enroll these students. SEVP uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) to protect national security by ensuring that students, visitors and schools comply with U.S. laws. SEVP collects and shares SEVIS information with ICE government partners, including U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, so only legitimate international students and exchange visitors gain entry into the United States.

To learn more about ICE and its role in the international student process, visit ICE.gov/sevp. Help us say thank you to ICE for its 12 years of service by sharing this story with your friends on Facebook and Twitter.