Recently, some F and M students have encountered problems
when applying for a Social Security number (SSN) or driver’s license. AILA
reported that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is aware of these
difficulties and is working with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’
Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) Program on a solution
that will be implemented on September 14, 2012.
For F and M students
who had problems applying for a SSN and / or driver’s license, they now have
two options: Number one, they can wait
until September 14, 2012 after the solution is implemented and then return to
the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or Social Security Administration (SSA)
office in their state to reapply again. Secondly, they may also send an email
to this email address at Department of Homeland Security - dmvssa.sevp@ice.dhs.gov – and ask for
assistance. However, be warned that this
option may take longer time to generate a response. They should include the following information
in the email: 1. Benefit requested (SSN or driver’s license) 2. Family name 3.
First name 4. Date of birth 5. Form I-94, “Arrival/Departure Record,” admission
number (11 digits) 6. SEVIS ID 7. Applicant’s physical address (required),
phone number (required), and e-mail 8. Address of the office where problem
occurred (and the name of the officer, if known) 9. Date of the latest
visit to office.
Separately, there has been a change in the I-20 stamping
policy at airports and other U.S.
ports of entry for foreign students. Form
I-20A-B, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status for
academic and language students, and Form I-20M-N, Certificate of Eligibility
for Nonimmigrant (M-1) Student Status for Vocational Students are official U.S.
government forms that serve as evidence of a foreign student’s acceptance by a
certified U.S.
school. Before a foreign student can
study in the U.S.,
he or she must first apply for a Form I-20 from an SEVP-certified school. In order to apply for an Form I-20, foreign
students are usually required to produce academic documents such as high school
diploma and college transcripts, financial support documents such as bank
statements showing sufficient funds, and proof of English proficiency such as
TOEFL scores.
For many years, it has been the former INS (Immigration and
Naturalization Service) and current CBP (Customs and Border Patrol)’s policy to
stamp a foreign student’s I-20 and I-94 whenever the student is admitted into
the U.S. as a student. For example, an
F-1 student’s I-20 is usually stamped “D/S” or duration of status to signify
that the student is allowed to stay in the U.S. for the duration of his or her
studies. Sometimes, an actual expiration date may also
be stamped on the I-20 such as in the case of an M-1 student.
CBP is no longer stamping the I-20 due to the implementation
of the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS). It appears that ELIS keeps track of foreign students’ status
electronically and therefore no longer requires the physical stamping of
I-20s. As such, CBP has ceased the
practice of I-20 stamping at the ports of entry. Foreign students should no longer expect
that their I-20 be stamped upon approval of their change of status or their
return to the U.S. If they encounter any issues with other
government agencies (e.g., DMV, SSA), they should follow the above mentioned
guidelines for resolution. For issues
relating to their driver’s licenses, they could also contact the Office of
Public Engagement of USCIS for assistance.
The driver’s license is one of the most important documents used in the U.S.,
especially for foreign students. The driver’s
license does not only allow the holder to drive legally in the U.S., it also
serves as an ID document that is required for many different situations. Foreign students should plan ahead of time if
they need to apply for a new driver’s license or for a replacement. In light of the recent changes in government
policies, it is even more important to apply early.
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