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<DIV dir=ltr id=idOWAReplyText44258><FONT color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial><STRONG><EM><FONT size=4><U>International students entering the U.S over the next few months will need to be prepared for delays and a more thorough review of their documents as they are processed through port of entry.</U></FONT></EM></STRONG> </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>Due to recent events in Boston and the discovery that some individuals who may have been involved were admitted into the U.S. on "terminated/invalid" I-20's and expired F-1 visas, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and Department of State (DOS) is thoroughly reviewing procedures and policies related to international students. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=2 face=Arial>A recent internal memorandum by a high ranking U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) official instructed all port of entry officers to verify the I-20, SEVIS record, and visa for all F-1 students and their dependents. SEVIS is the DHS database that the ISSO uses to create a student's I-20 (F visa) and maintain a student's record (academic major, address, employment authorization, etc...). Different DHS and DOS agencies have access to SEVIS. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=2 face=Arial>P</FONT><FONT size=2 face=Arial>ort of entry officers at the <EM>"primary" point of inspection</EM> do not have access to the SEVIS database and have been instructed to refer all international students to the <EM>"secondary" point of inspection</EM> where officers have access to SEVIS. <STRONG><EM><FONT size=4>This will mean that the processing time for international students through port of entry may increase significantly and students will need to be sure to schedule any travel plans to allow plenty of time to be processed through port of entry.</FONT></EM></STRONG> The new review process may take up to 3 hours or more for international students. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV dir=ltr><FONT size=2 face=Arial>This new review process is expected to last anywhere from a few weeks to a few months as CBP upgrades their system to be able to access SEVIS records directly at the "primary' point of inspection. The ISSO will provide updates as we receive them. </FONT></DIV>
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<DIV><FONT color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial>John Mark Jones, Director</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>International Student Services</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Texas A&M University- Commerce</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>PO Box 3011</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Commerce, TX 75429</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>Phone: (903) 468-8144 </FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial>FAX: (903) 468-3200</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT size=2 face=Arial><A href="http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international">http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/international</A></FONT></DIV></DIV></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>