WASHINGTON, D.C.- As part of the ongoing effort to enhance and improve United States Homeland Security, the Justice Department has proposed a rule to implement significant change in the way that information regarding foreign exchange students is retained and reported.

The proposed rule uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, known as SEVIS. SEVIS is an internet-based system providing government educational institutions and exchange programs as a means to obtain information about foreign-born students, visitors and their dependents. The rule specifies that schools use SEVIS to issue documentation to students and report all pertinent information to the INS.

New regulations require schools to collect information on foreign students and to report their findings to the INS. Data reported includes: Student enrollment; start dates of next term or session; notification of failure to enroll; a list of students who drop a full course-load of study without notification; failure to maintain status or to complete the program of study; any change of student or dependent’s legal name or address; disciplinary action taken by the school against the student as a result of the conviction of a crime; and student graduation prior to the program’s end.

The INS hopes to begin implementation on a voluntary basis with several learning institutions as of July 1, 2002. Under the proposed rule, this participation would become mandatory by January 30, 2003. SEVIS requires schools and other exchange programs to transmit electronic information, via the Internet, to the INS and the State Department throughout a students’s stay in the U.S.

“Allowing foreign students an opportunity to study is one way we can demonstrate our love of freedom to foreign students who will return to their native countries to take on leadership roles,” INS Commissioner James Ziglar said. “However, we cannot allow our hospitality to be abused.”

INS Swears in 15,000 New Citizens on Citizenship Day

WASHINGTON, D.C.- In observance of Citizenship Day, September 17, 2002, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) administered the oath of allegiance to more than 15,000 immigrants at 23 naturalization ceremonies throughout the country. Completing the final step in the journey to become U.S. citizens, applicants marked the occassion on a day established to honor both native-born and naturalized citizens.

“These ceremonies are a tribute to the memory of our founding fathers who on September 17, 1787, created our current system of government with the signing of the U.S. Constitution,” said INS Commissioner James Ziglar. “The INS is doing its part to foster a greater appreciation for the Constitution by welcoming new citizens.”

During the first ten months of fiscal year 2002, there was a 58 percent increase in the receipt of applications for naturalization while 454,069 applicants for naturalization took the oath of citizenship. Between October, 2001 and July, 2002, more than 611,000 applications were received while 501,646 were received in fiscal year 2001.

With a reduced nationwide average processing time for naturalization applications ranging from six to nine months, INS is on target to meet the current administration’s long-term goal of achieving a six-month processing standard for all immigrant benefit applications.

Naturalization is the process by which U.S. citizenship is conferred upon a foreign citizen or national after he or she fulfills the requirements established by Congress in the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA). Requirements for naturalization include a period of continuous residence and physical presence in the United States; residence in a particular INS District prior to filing; an ability to read, write and speak English; knowledge of U.S. history and government; good moral character; and an attachment to those principles outlined in the U.S. Constitution.