March 17, 2004

FACT SHEET

New Procedure between the Social Security Administration (SSA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State

DHS now uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as an alternate means to conduct status inquiries on students and exchange visitors who have applied for a social security number. SEVIS supplements the current verification process, and may result in students and exchange visitors receiving social security numbers in a more timely fashion.

Existing Process:

StudentJExchange Visitor applies for Social Security Number (SSN)
SSA uses standard verification procedure
If validated, assigns SSN

New Steps - Effective January 5, 2004

If information not validated using process above, case is faxed to DHS Status Verifiers in Los Angeles

• Status Verifiers search SEVIS for validation information
• If verified in SEVIS, Status Verifiers notify SSA via fax
• SSN is assigned

Some of the actions to facilitate Social Security number issuance involve the cooperation of the student or the exchange visitor. If eligible to work in the United States, students and exchange visitors should report to their school or to their exchange visitor program as soon as possible after arrival in the United States. Students and exchange visitors will need to provide the school or program sponsor with their U.S. address. The school official or responsible officer will then register or validate the student/exchange visitor as an active participant in SEVIS. Once the student/exchange visitor has been properly registered or validated in SEVIS, status verifiers will be able to successfully search SEVIS and provide the necessary validation information to the SSA.

# ICE #