ICE to Update Student and Exchange Visitor Information System
In the January 5, 2010 Federal Register, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) outlined (pdf) its two-phase process for updating the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS collects information on:
- prospective, current and former foreign students, exchange visitors and their spouses entering the U.S. on F, M or J nonimmigrant visas; and
- officials of approved schools and designated sponsors.
During phase one, which will begin early this year, SEVIS will remain intact while its successor system, SEVIS II, is rolled out. SEVIS II will collect more data than its predecessor, and also will provide users with increased access to the system (including the ability to view their records and request corrections). Phase two, which has no definite start date, entails the complete incorporation of SEVIS data into SEVIS II, with the latter becoming the sole records system in place.
The SEVIS II system will collect the following data:
- biographical information (e.g., name; date, city and country of birth; country of citizenship and/or permanent residence);
- educational and financial information (e.g., school; program of study; tuition; financial support organization name and support amount); and
- benefit information (e.g., fingerprint identification number; visa number; arrival and departure information).
The above information will also be collected for any proxy, parent or guardian of any F/M/J nonimmigrant who cannot create their own account due to their age (under 13 years of age).
