Ibrahim Gardner
International students in the US are tracked by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS) database, which monitors their visa status and compliance. SEVIS records are maintained by designated school officials (DSOs) who are required by federal law to update and manage these records. Each international student should have one Active record in SEVIS, which is used by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and US government partners to monitor legal status and ensure national security. When entering the US, international students receive a Form I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, which serves as evidence of lawful admission and is necessary for verifying alien registration, immigration status, and employment authorization. While the US government has recently taken steps to streamline access to travel records for international students, there have also been reports of challenges faced by students due to visa revocations and difficulties in reinstating their records.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| International students' records in the US | International students in the US have their records tracked by SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems database. |
| SEVIS function | SEVIS monitors international students' compliance with their visa status and keeps records of their interactions with government agencies. |
| Record-keeping | Designated School Officials (DSOs) are required by federal law to update and maintain student records in SEVIS. |
| Student visa fraud | The Department of Homeland Security runs student visa holders' names through an FBI database to check for any criminal history. |
| Travel records | International students receive a Form I-94 "Arrival/Departure Record" when they enter the US, which serves as evidence of lawful admission and can be used to verify their immigration status and obtain employment authorization. |
| Reinstating records | The US government has been reinstating records for international students, but some students whose visas were revoked may not be able to return to the country. |
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What You'll Learn
Student visa fraud
International students in the US are tracked through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS) database. SEVIS records monitor international students' compliance with their visa status, and the database is used by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) to ensure national security. Each international student should have only one Active record in SEVIS, which contains information such as their address, course load, and employment.
While the US government has taken steps to prevent student visa fraud, there have been instances where international students have had their visas revoked, leading to difficulties in rebuilding their lives and returning to the US.
In one notable case, three senior executives of privately-owned, for-profit schools pleaded guilty to student visa and financial aid fraud. Suresh Hiranandaney, Lalit Chabria, and Anita Chabria were associated with the Micropower Career Institute (MCI) and the Institute for Health Education (IHE). They failed to report to immigration authorities that foreign citizens were not attending classes as required, while still collecting millions in tuition fees from these students. As a result, they agreed to forfeit $7,440,000 in proceeds from the fraud conspiracy and pay $1,000,000 in restitution to the US Department of Education.
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Student records and reinstatement
International students in the United States are tracked by the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems (SEVIS) database. SEVIS is used by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and various US government partners to monitor the legal status of international students and ensure national security.
SEVIS contains an Active record for each F and M international student, which includes their SEVIS identification (ID) number, and should match the ID number on all government documents. Designated school officials (DSOs) are required by federal law to update and maintain these records, including reporting certain events as required by law, such as reissuing Forms I-20 ("Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status") and managing SEVIS record transfers.
In addition to SEVIS, international students also receive a Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record," when they travel to the United States. This form serves as evidence that they have been lawfully admitted to the country and is used to verify alien registration, immigration status, and obtain employment authorization.
Recently, there have been reports of the US government reinstating records for international students after a crackdown on their legal status by the Trump administration. While some students have had their records reinstated, allowing them to return to their studies and jobs, others have faced challenges reenrolling in school and returning to their previous lives. For those who left the country, there is no guarantee they can return. The process of reinstatement can be daunting and complicated, and students who left the country may face additional challenges in being reinstated.
To summarise, student records for international students in the US are maintained in the SEVIS database, and DSOs are responsible for updating and managing these records. Additionally, international students receive a Form I-94 upon arrival, which serves as evidence of their lawful admission to the country. In recent events, the US government has been reinstating records for international students, but the process has been challenging for those affected.
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Compliance with visa status
International students in the US are required to maintain their F or M student status. The US Department of State issues visas based on the intended purpose of the visit. An F or M student visa is issued to those who wish to enter the US to study. Therefore, students must not take any action that detracts from that purpose.
To maintain their status, students must fulfil the purpose for which the Department of State issued their visa and follow the associated regulations. F-1 and M-1 students have the same primary purpose for coming to the US, but F-1 students enrol in more traditional academic programs, while M-1 students enrol in vocational programs. As such, the types of benefits a nonimmigrant student may be eligible for and how long they can remain in the country vary.
To maintain their status, F and M students must take action to maintain their legal status or depart the US after completing their program. They must also ensure that their SEVIS identification (ID) number on their Active record matches the ID number found on all government documents. Designated School Officials (DSOs) are responsible for creating and updating students' SEVIS records and reporting certain events as required by law. DSOs must also carefully monitor applications to keep the SEVIS records in Initial status while the application is pending with USCIS.
Students must also ensure they comply with any work restrictions. F students may only work when authorized by a DSO or U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). If an F student chooses to work without authorization, they will be forced to leave the US immediately and may not be able to re-enter later. F-1 students may not work off-campus during the first academic year but may accept on-campus employment subject to certain conditions and restrictions. After the first academic year, F-1 students may engage in three types of off-campus employment: Curricular Practical Training (CPT), Optional Practical Training (OPT), and Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) OPT. CPT employment must be an integral part of an established curriculum, and the position must directly relate to the student's major area of study. OPT is a form of temporary employment that directly relates to the student's program of study.
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Travel records
International students and visitors travelling to the United States receive a Form I-94 "Arrival/Departure Record" at their port of entry. This form acts as proof of their lawful admission to the US and is required for verifying alien registration, immigration status, and employment authorization.
Previously, international students could only access their most recent I-94 record number online and had to submit a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for previous years' travel records. However, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has streamlined the process, allowing students to access their five-year travel history on the Form I-94 website.
To obtain their Form I-94 record, international students can visit the US Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Form I-94 webpage. They must agree to the terms listed and provide their name, date of birth, and passport information. The webpage provides options to retrieve the "Most Recent I-94" or "Travel History." Selecting "Most Recent I-94" displays the I-94 number, date of entry, class of admission, and admit-until date. Choosing "Travel History" grants access to the last five years of travel records.
The CBP has witnessed a significant increase in trade and travel, including a nine percent rise in non-immigrant arrivals since 2011. By automating processes, going paperless, and adopting mobile technology, the CBP aims to manage the growing volumes and expedite processing times for travellers.
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Student visa holders and FBI-run databases
International students in the US are required to have their records maintained in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) database. SEVIS is used by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and its government and law enforcement partners, including the FBI, to monitor international students' compliance with their visa status and ensure national security.
SEVIS records contain detailed information about international students, including their visa status, personal information, and academic pursuits. Designated school officials (DSOs) are responsible for creating, updating, and maintaining these records. Each international student should have only one Active record in SEVIS, with a unique SEVIS identification (ID) number that matches their government documents.
In addition to SEVIS, international students may also interact with other FBI-run databases during their time in the US. For example, upon arrival in the US, they receive a Form I-94, "Arrival/Departure Record," which serves as evidence of their lawful admission. This form can be accessed through the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) website, and it provides a five-year travel history.
The FBI has also been known to run the names of student visa holders through its criminal databases. This was done as part of an effort by the Trump administration's crackdown on international students, which resulted in the revocation of visas and the termination of legal status for thousands of students.
Furthermore, the FBI has warned of scams targeting student visa holders, where scammers impersonate government or immigration officials and request payments for processing immigration paperwork or university fees. The FBI advises students to be cautious of unsolicited communications and to verify the identity of any officials they interact with.
In summary, while SEVIS is the primary database used to track international students in the US, the FBI also interacts with and relies on various databases that contain information about student visa holders. These databases serve different purposes, from monitoring visa compliance and national security to facilitating travel and safeguarding against scams.
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Frequently asked questions
SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information Systems database that tracks international students' compliance with their visa status.
International students can obtain their Form I-94 record, also known as the "Arrival/Departure Record", by visiting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) website. They must enter their personal information, including their name, date of birth, and passport details.
The Trump administration's crackdown on international students led to the revocation of visas and termination of student records. While the administration later reversed its decision, many students faced challenges in rebuilding their lives, including difficulties in reenrolling in school and returning to jobs.
International students contributed significantly to the US economy, with over 1.1 million students contributing approximately $43 billion during the 2023-24 academic year, primarily through tuition and housing expenses.
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