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April 14, 2008

Student Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Proposed Fee Rule



SEVP Executive Summary:

The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) acts as the bridge for varied government organizations that have an interest in information on foreign students. SEVP uses web-based technology, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents during their approved participation in the U.S. education system.

After the events of September 11, 2001, Congress required the Department of Homeland Security to implement a better way of keeping track of international students and exchange visitors. SEVIS was designed to provide timely information to the Department of State, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and U. S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. For several years, the system has successfully filled that role. However, the ever-increasing number of students and exchange visitors coming to our country has necessitated several upgrades to the SEVP program's systems and technologies.Dramatic improvements to the current SEVP program are proposed for implementation in fall 2008.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), propose to increase the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) student and certification fees, as well as implement a recertification fee to fund the congressionally mandated re-certification program. The proposed rule, which would become effective Oct. 1, 2008, requires a 60-day public comment period before going into effect.

How much will it cost?
Schools currently participating in the program will not be required to pay any additional fees to recertify under the new rule. The proposed fee increases will affect both students and schools:

  • The rule would double the fee for nonimmigrant students to $200
  • Most exchange visitor fees would rise from $100 to $180
  • The fee for au pairs, camp counselors and summer work/travel program participants remains $35
  • There is no fee for government sponsored exchange visitors
  • Fee for school certification would rise from $350 to $1,700
  • Site visit charges would increase from $230 to $655 for each site visit

SEVP Fees and Funding:
Congress has mandated that the program be funded through student and university fees. The fee increase, which is the first since the program began in 2003, is needed to cover the programs enhancements and operating costs. The original fees have not kept pace with the number of investigations into possible violations. End-users have requested enhancements to the system that require more resources to upgrade. Finally, the recertification of schools, which is also mandated by Congress, requires additional funding and enhanced technologies. When averaging the cost into the yearly tuition for a private four year education is $23,712. The proposed fee increase for international students is 0.002% of these overall costs. The student, as long as they remain enrolled will not have to re-file or incur any additional fee.

With the proposed increased fees, SEVP can provide:

  • Efficiency: The enhanced SEVIS system will include improved interactive feature for school administrators as well as a simplified application process.
  • Customer Service: Field liaisons who can provide local customized and one-on-one support.
  • National Security: More agents to follow up on alerts submitted by school administrators.
  • Re-certification: Will maintain the integrity and reputations of participating schools.

SEVP proposes to increase its fees to comply with regulatory requirements to periodically review its fee structure and ensure its costs are fully covered; and to enhance its capability to improve national security and counter immigration fraud.

How the proposed fees were calculated:
SEVP is required to recoup the full cost associated with SEVIS. Modeling software was used to determine the full cost associated with: updating and maintaining the information on participating students; certifying and recertifying schools; overseeing school compliance; adjudicating appeals; investigating possible law violations and other threats to national security; providing outreach and education to users; and performing regulatory and policy analysis. The model was also used to identify management and overhead cost associated with the program.

SEVIS:
SEVIS is the Student Exchange and Visitor Information System database that allows SEVP to track international students and visitors and ensure that they are in the United States for the purposes they stated in applying to come.

  • SEVIS currently monitors the active records of more than 1 million F, M, and J nonimmigrants and their dependents.
  • In anticipation of these rules, information has been placed on the website to assist stakeholders. www.ice.gov.sevis

SEVIS II technology features include:

  • A unique identifier system
  • A paperless system
  • Improved efficiency for students and school administrators
  • A Simplified interface
  • Enhanced usability
  • Comprehensive training module
  • Advance query and reporting tools
  • Integrated, real-time information-sharing

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was established in March 2003 as the largest investigative arm of the Department of Homeland Security. ICE is comprised of five integrated divisions that form a 21st century law enforcement agency with broad responsibilities for a number of key homeland security priorities.


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