SEVIS Deadline Could Lead to Problems for Some Foreign Exchange Students

As of August 1, 2003, more than 600 U.S. schools have yet to file applications for the SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor and Information System) computerized foreign student tracking program.

As a result, some foreign exchange students attempted to enter the U.S. this fall may be stopped at Customs because their name is not on the SEVIS database.

To combat this potential problem, the Department of Homeland Security's Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) will be sending representatives to the airports that will account for the majority of the foreign students entering the U.S. ICE says it will also send written guidance to DHS inspectors at US ports of entry to deal with each potential scenario.