/>iThe Student and Exchange Visitor Program (“SEVP”) unit of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement is responsible for approval and oversight to schools authorized to enroll F and M nonimmigrant students. SEVP provides guidance to both schools and students about the requirements for maintenance of their status, and ensures that government agencies have essential data related to nonimmigrant students and exchange visitors.
On April 18, 2014, SEVP announced that it has deployed into the field the first group of 15 representatives, with a plan to add 45 additional representatives over the coming months. The SEVP field representatives will serve as the direct day-to-day liaisons between SEVP and certified schools, as well as schools seeking initial SEVP certification. SEVP field representatives will:
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Ensure SEVP-certified schools understand SEVP rules and regulations;
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Answer general questions related to the nonimmigrant student process;
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Provide training and assistance to principal designated school officials and designated school officials;
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Meet in-person with each SEVP-certified school in their geographical area at least twice a year;
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Help school officials with the SEVP certification and recertification process by conducting scheduled school site visits; and
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Attend conferences and meetings in their areas that pertain to nonimmigrant students.
There will be three regional groups – eastern, central and western – each of which will have 20 SEVP field representatives eventually. Each field representative will spend four days each week in the field with schools and one day in their home office. If a school falls within one of the areas covered by the first 15 field representatives, it will be contacted by an SEVP representative, likely by the first week of May 2014. If a school was not assigned a field representative during this initial roll-out phase, the school should, until further notice, continue to contact the SEVP Response Center for assistance with questions and concerns.
