COUNSELORS NEED COUNSEL TOO – Assisting High School Counselors and DSOs with International Admissions and Immigration Requirements NCAIE Annual State Conference March 07, 2014 Jeong Powell, jcpowell@ncsu.edu Pascale Toussaint, pascale-toussaint@ncsu.edu Why this session • Increases in the • Increased need for numbers of international students attending US high schools • More transfers from high school to colleges and universities more communication between high school and higher education Institutions • Resources Role of the DSO A Designated School Official represents and speaks for the school in all student immigration matters Ensures institutional compliance with the law by learning, interpreting and applying laws and government policies Enters information/updates into SEVIS Issues and signs immigration forms Role of the DSO Approves or recommends benefits for F-1 students and their dependents Educates students and school about their rights and obligations under the F regulations Maintains records (electronic and paper) on all students as mandated by federal law DSOs must be listed on the school’s form I-17 Admission Process Will vary based on the Institution • Online Application (most institutions) • Application fee • Electronic submission of documents (transcripts, test scores etc…) Admission Process • High School Transcripts (all four years and translated in English) UNC Charlotte: requires a course by course evaluation (all grades must be on the US high school transcript) For NC State University: either overseas transcripts or US high school transcript are acceptable • SAT / ACT scores NC State University: required if enrolled in US high school for at least two years. If enrolled for less than two years, SAT or ACT is optional UNC Charlotte: Either one is required but students are encourage to take both Wake Technical Community College: not required Admission Process • English Proficiency NC State University: Either TOEFL or IELTS are required UNC Charlotte: TOEFL, IELTS or enrollment in a US high school for at least two years Wake Tech: not required, but if submitted it is considered as student’s placement information • Certificate of Financial Responsibility (For F-1 and J-1) NC State University: required as part of the application UNC Charlotte: not required until student is admitted to the institution Wake Tech: required as part of the application Visa Clearance • Each institution uses different forms • NC State Admissions office reviews the Visa Clearance forms in house • UNC Charlotte and Wake Tech send their Visa Clearance forms to their Office of International Services for review SEVIS Transfer 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. Student is admitted to new school Student completes transfer out form from old school, establishing release date (60-day grace period) DSO from old school completes transfer in form from new school (if requested) DSO from old school releases SEVIS record to new school (old school has inactive record upon release date) DSO at new school issues student a “transfer pending” I-20 on or after release date DSO at new school reports “registration” within 30 days of I-20 start date and issues student a “continued attendance” I-20 The 5-month limit SEVIS Transfer (restrictions) • F-2 children may only engage in full-time study at the K-12 level. To attend a post-secondary institution status must be changed to F-1 • J-1 exchanges and non-degree. Students will have to return home and apply for an F-1 visa • J-1 secondary Change of Status (eligibility) Must be in legal status Current status must be valid up until the date the F-1 status is requested to begin Studies may commence only once I-94 is in hand (unless student is currently in a status that allows study) Employment may commence only once I-94 is in hand Change of Status (process) Via Travel Issue I-20; pay SEVIS fee Apply for F-1 visa and enter Within the U.S. Issue I-20; pay SEVIS fee Apply through USCIS ELIS (online application) Or mail a paper application to the USCIS Change of Status (restrictions) Not permitted to change to F-1 status while in the U.S.: C, D, K, M, WT, WB non-immigrants J non-immigrants subject to 2-year foreign residence requirement Entry with a B visa CoS = examine preconceived intent B-2 “Prospective Student” notation Travel Outside the U.S. Endorsed I-20 for student and dependents New I-20 – if changes in finances, major, or program level Valid passport and {visa stamp if needed} Letter of enrollment and/or transcript Issues: Change of status, 5 month absence, SEVIS record status Undocumented - DACA • Undocumented: Children born abroad who are not U.S. citizens or legal residents • Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA): Deferred action is a discretionary determination to defer removal action of an individual as an act of prosecutorial discretion Resources • http://professionals.collegeboard.com/guidance/financialaid/undocumented-students • http://www.northcarolina.edu/gearup/spanish/Ensuring_C ollege_Access_Para_Todos1.pdf. Resources NAFSA Advisor’s Manual NAFSA Regulatory Info - http://www.nafsa.org practice advisories, DHS conference calls, updates IssueNet – report an issue Listservs – International Student Advising Network http://www.nafsa.org/knowledge_community_network.sec NCAIE Website – http://www.ncaie.org/ Customs and Border Protection http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/toolbox/contacts/ports/nc/1503. xml SEVIS Help Desk 1-800-892-4829 More Resources SEVP Tutorials & Users Manual USCIS website - http://www.uscis.gov regulations, forms, offices and check case status Conferences/workshops – National, Regional, and State Networking Other schools’ websites Immigration Attorneys (sticky situations outside DSO scope) DACA: http://www.northcarolina.edu/gearup/spanish/Ensuring_College _Access_Para_Todos1.pdf. Study in the State : http://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/ Homeland Security Ombudspersons North Carolina Regulatory Ombud Assistant and NCAIE Board Member: Denise Medeiros (F-1 questions) Phone: 704.687.7784, dvmedei@uncc.edu Things you need to know Use your resources! Document and be consistent Immigration is constantly changing so it’s your responsibility to stay current! Reach out to colleagues if unsure Contacts NC State University • Jeong Powell, jcpowell@ncsu.edu • Pascale Toussaint, pascale_toussaint@ncsu.edu • Amanda Beasley, acbeasle@ncsu.edu UNC Charlotte • Emily Ring, Emily.Ring@uncc.edu • Denise Medeiros, dvmedei@uncc.edu Wake Technical Community College • Princess Solomon, pmsolomon@waketech.edu