2010/11 - Bechtel International Center - Stanford University

Creation of Customer Accounts by SEVIS users (RO/
AROs, PDSOs/DSOs, Government users, current
students, exchange visitors and their dependents,
as well as others that will need to interface with
the system), who will receive an Immigration
Identification Number (IIN)
Phase II is when SEVIS II “goes live,” and becomes the sole
system of record. Until that time, SEVIS I will be the sole
system of record. There is no overlap planned.
Social Security: SSA Resumes Sending No-Match Letters
On April 6, 2011, the Social Security Administration
(SSA) updated its policy guidance to resume sending
DECOR (Decentralized Correspondence) notices,
commonly known as “no-match” letters. SSA sends
these notices to employees or employers when a name
or Social Security Number (SSN) reported on Form W-2
or on self-employment reports does not match SSA’s
records.
Real ID Compliance Date Delayed
In a final rule published March 7, 2011, DHS extended
until January 15, 2013 the date by which States must
be in full compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005. The
prior full compliance date had been May 11, 2011.
Fee Changes
New fees for USCIS applications and petitions for
benefits, including the premium-processing fee,
became effective on November 23, 2010. Most fees
were raised, but the fees for Form I-539 and several
other forms are being slightly lowered:
I-102 Application for Replacement/Initial
Nonimmigrant Arrival-Departure Document
changed from $320 to $330
I-129/129CW Petition for a Nonimmigrant Worker
changed from $320 to $325
I-140 Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker changed
from $475 to $580
I-485 Application to Register Permanent Residence
or Adjust Status changed from $930 to $985
I-907 Request for Premium Processing Service
changed from $1000 to $1225
I-539 Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant
Status changed from $300 to $290
I-765 Application for Employment Authorization
changed from $380 to $340
20 Bechtel International Center Annual Report 2010/11
F-1 STUDENTS
Removal of NSEERS Country Designation
Effective April 28, 2011, DHS removed the following
countries from designation under the National Security
Entry-Exit Registration System: Afghanistan, Algeria,
Bahrain, Bangladesh, Egypt, Eritrea, Indonesia, Iran,
Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, North
Korea, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia,
Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, United Arab Emirates, and Yemen.
This followed DHS’ determination that manually
capturing arrival/exit information on non-immigrant
travelers through the NSEERS “special registration”
program was redundant and did not increase security,
so nationals or citizens of these countries would no
longer be subject to special registration procedures.
New I-515A Procedure
Starting July 15, 2011, SEVP has the authority
to terminate the SEVIS record status of any F
nonimmigrant who does not comply with the Form
I-515A directive within the 30-day response period.
Within five business days of the nonimmigrant
receiving temporary admission into the United States,
SEVP will notify the relevant designated school officials
(DSOs) of the issuance of the Form 1-515A and the
future termination date. At the end of the 30-day
response period, the nonimmigrant has two choices
if the nonimmigrant has not complied with the Form
I-515A:
Depart the United States immediately
File immediately for reinstatement with USCIS.
DHS STEM OPT Designated Degree Programs List 2011
Effective April 2011, students graduating from STEM-
Designated degree programs became eligible for an
additional 17 months of OPT.
Accreditation for Language Training Programs
On December 14, 2010, President Obama signed
into law “An Act to require the accreditation of
English language training programs, and for other
purposes.” The law amends section 101(a)(15)(F) of
the Immigration and Nationality Act to require that
intensive language training programs be accredited
by an accrediting agency recognized by the Secretary
of Education in order to be SEVIS-certified, issue Forms
I-20, and enroll F-1 nonimmigrant students.