Immigration Links

Most students and scholars will come in contact with the three bureaus managed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). While you will work most closely with the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), each arm of the DHS maintains its own website. Please be aware that the SEVIS database is maintained by Immigration & Cusotm Enforcement (ICE), and if you are a special registrant, through National Security Entry-Exit Registration System (NSEERS), further information regarding that program can be found on the ICE website. Below are the links to these immigration agencies:

Department of Homeland Security (DHS)

The following three agencies make up DHS:

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

USCIS forms and filing instructions can be found on their website when applying for immigraiton benefits, such as optional practical training. Students and scholars wishing to monitor the status of their cases may do this thorugh USCIS' Case Status Service website.

Please note that USCIS frequently reviews procedures for monitoring the F-1 and J-1 programs. Please be aware that during your tenure at SBU policies and regulations may change many times and without notice. It is your ultimate responsibility to maintain your F-1 or J-1 status.

In addition to using our office and the links on our website as a resource, you have access to the actual laws that govern your programs. This is called the Code of Federal Regulations, and access to this information is free. Titles pertaining to F/J non-immigrants are Title 8, Aliens and Nationality and Title 22, Foreign Relations.