Like all other countries of the world, the United States has laws and regulations governing foreigners who are temporarily within its boundaries. These regulations are often complex, and they change periodically. You are responsible for knowing the regulations regarding your particular immigration status. Violating any of these regulations will result in your falling out of status and may subject you to deportation.

Q: What is SEVIS? http://www.ice.gov/sevis/

SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), is an Internet-based system which maintains accurate and current information on non-immigrant students (F and M visa), exchange visitors (J visa), and their dependents (F-2, M-2, and J-2). SEVIS enables schools and program sponsors to transmit electronic information and event notifications via the Internet, to the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of State (DOS) throughout a student or exchange visitor’s stay in the United States. SEVIS is a division of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Q: What exact data will be sent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security via SEVIS?

Law and regulation requires SEVIS to collect the following data from international students and exchange visitors.

• SEVIS I-20 and DS-2019 Form Information
• Name, place and date of birth
• Country of citizenship
• Foreign and U.S. addresses
• Program start date and end date
• Full-time or part-time status
• Number of credits completed each semester
• Degree program and field of study
• Program level change
• Program extension
• Change in major
• Program completion date (graduation date)
• School transfer
• Reinstatement
• Practical training (start date and end dates, employer’s address)
• Off campus employment information
• F or J visa status termination date and reason
• Date of visa issuance and classification granted
• Any disciplinary actions taken against the alien due to criminal conviction
• Information on the date of entry and port of entry

Lakeland College is required to report your information to U.S. Department of Homeland Security via SEVIS within 30 days after the first day of classes each semester.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) http://www.dhs.gov/

The Homeland Security Act of 2002 radically altered the structure of the agencies involved in the immigration process. The Act mandates that the functions of the INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) be moved to the new Department of Homeland Security, for the abolition of INS. INS ceased to exist on March 1, 2003.

U.S. immigration functions are divided between three bureaus of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

1. USCIS http://www.uscis.gov/ The Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services, which calls itself U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is responsible for most applications and petition adjudications.

2. ICE http://www.ice.gov/ The Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is responsible for immigration investigations, detention, removal, intelligence, and SEVIS.

3. CBP http://www.cbp.gov/ The Bureau of Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is responsible for immigration inspections at U.S. ports of entry, for the Border Patrol, and for the Customs Service.

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