Welcome to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Spotlight, a quarterly newsletter for the academic community that includes important program news, seasonal reminders and updates relevant to the international student life cycle.

As of July 2020, SEVP Spotlight consists of an update from the SEVP director. 

Director's Corner 

As Fall Semester Begins, Important COVID-19 Resources for Students and Schools

The evolution of the COVID-19 global pandemic continues to affect the international student community in unprecedented ways. The U.S. education system has adjusted and responded, keeping campus safety a number one priority. As the fall semester begins, SEVP understands the challenges that institutions are facing. I want to personally thank you once again for your cooperation in informing SEVP of your operational plans as we continuously work towards keeping the international student community informed during the ongoing pandemic.

As international students begin the fall semester, I would like to point out some valuable resources and reminders from SEVP and our government partners to help ensure compliance at SEVP-certified schools:

• Tips for Contacting SEVP
• ICE.gov COVID-19 Page and FAQs
• Study in the States COVID-19 Resources Page
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention COVID-19 Resources
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
• Department of Homeland Security COVID-19 Page
• U.S. Department of State COVID-19 Travel Information
• U.S. Department of Education COVID-19 Resources

As a reminder, as noted in the March 2020 guidance, please provide notice of any procedural adaptations made in response to COVID-19 to SEVP within 10 business days of the date of the decision to initiate the change. For further instructions, please read the Broadcast Message, "How to Submit Procedural Adaptations Template to SEVP to Document Requested Procedural Changes Due to COVID-19.”

Apart from the above resources, remember that SEVP’s field representatives are ready to assist school officials and other SEVP stakeholders with questions about how to follow federal regulations governing the international student community during the ongoing pandemic.

For the latest guidance, resources and information, visit the ICE Guidance on COVID-19 page on ICE.gov. Additionally, SEVP will continue to communicate any COVID-19 related guidance and updates via Broadcast Messages, Study in the States blog posts and social media and GovDelivery messages. For case-specific questions, please contact the SEVP Response Center.

Thank you for your work to ensure national security is upheld during the COVID-19 pandemic. I wish everyone a safe and healthy fall semester.

Respectfully,

Rachel Canty