7. Institutional and DSO Advocacy
When to request: Immediately upon discovering technical errors, delayed updates, or inaccurate SEVIS actions —especially if the student’s status is at risk or has already been terminated.
What DSOs and university officials can do:
• Submit correction requests directly through SEVIS RTI (Real-Time Interface): Common issues include auto-termination for No Show, duplicate SEVIS IDs, or incorrect program end dates. • Open Help Desk tickets with the SEVP Response Center (SRC): Used for more complex corrections, such as reinstating a wrongly terminated record or reconciling OPT/STEM reporting discrepancies. • Coordinate with SEVP field representatives and regional advisors: Especially in high- stakes terminations or institutional-level compliance issues. Field reps can escalate systemic issues to SEVP headquarters. • Issue updated or reinstatement I-20s with clear annotations: This is essential for any formal reinstatement filing, travel, or visa reapplication scenario. • Correct or cancel pending updates before they lead to termination: For example, adjusting a CPT start date or resolving enrollment status before a SEVIS deadline passes. • Engage university general counsel or immigration legal counsel: This ensures that DSO communications with federal agencies are accurate, strategic, and fully documented. Why it matters: Many SEVIS terminations result from administrative or procedural missteps — not willful violations. Prompt and informed DSO intervention can prevent termination, reduce unlawful presence accrual, and protect student eligibility for reinstatement or future immigration benefits.
8. Congressional and Ombudsman Intervention (in Select Cases)
• When to initiate: After exhausting formal agency channels (e.g., USCIS service requests, SEVP Help Desk tickets) and when facing unreasonable delay, lack of response, or procedural unfairness affecting visa or immigration status.
Students may also consider:
• Congressional Casework Assistance
Students (or their legal counsel) can request support from the constituent services office of their U.S. Representative or Senator . The congressional office will submit an inquiry to USCIS, SEVP, or DOS, requesting clarification, status updates, or expedited processing.
This is especially effective in cases involving:
• Long-pending reinstatement or I-539 applications
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