Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has an update for the University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) F-1 students, that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) withdrew UNVA’s approval for attendance of nonimmigrant students as of October 1st, 2013. Any F-1 students holding a SEVIS record from UNVA university were supposed to transfer their SEVIS to a different university or leave the United States by November 25th, 2013.

History

The University of Northern Virginia (UNVA) was raided few years ago by the ICE and was closed after an investigation by the Immigration and Customs Enforcement on Visa Fraud. This university let the students work full time in internships, not requiring to attend any classes as a part of their course. During July of this year, the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia have revoked the University’s license to operate.

Active F-1 Students at UNVA – Further Action

IF you have been an active F-1 student at UNVA, you have to transfer your SEVIS to a different school or depart from the United States. Check if your SEVIS record was already terminated, and if so you may contact SEVIS Response Center at (703) 603-3400 or email [email protected] on transferring your SEVIS record manually.

Impact on OPT Students

Those students who have already graduated from UNVA and who are working on Optional Practical Training (OPT) (OPT taken from UNVA), may also have affect of UNVA shutdown. The SEVIS records for those candidates who are working on OPT may also be terminated. If you are among them, I would suggest you to check with USCIS and confirm you haven’t got out of status.

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