Immigration Resources for International Student and Scholar Advisers

Advisers have a number of resources available to assist with immigration-related cases.

See below for inquiry protocols for:

• DHS- USCIS
• DHS- Customs and Border Protection Inquiries
• DHS- SAVE Database- Issues with Obtaining SSN and Driver's Licenses
• DHS- SEVIS Inquiries
• Department of Labor Inquiries
• Department of State Visa Inquiries
• Department of State 212(e) Waiver Review Division Inquiries

USCIS

In order to effect efficient and consistent communication, USCIS Service Centers and the Regulatory Ombudspersons have collaborated to provide the following guidelines.

Please note: these protocols have been created specifically for Designated School Officials (DSO), Responsible Officers (RO) or other immigration advisers at education institutions. Students and other members of the public may utilize many of the measures in Step One. For EADs pending more than 90 days, students and other applicants should follow the processes outlined in the USCIS Ombudsman Guidance on EADs Pending More Than 90 days.

USCIS Inquiry Protocols

Step One: Consult resources available to you before contacting a Service Center or Regulatory Ombudspersons:

• Read the regulations or other government resources
• Refer to the NAFSA Adviser's Manual
• Contact your region's KC-ISSS representative if you have a general "how to" question (see chart to the right)
• Check USCIS Processing Times
• Check the status of an application online
• Check the status of J waivers

For Inquiries Regarding Scholar/Employment-Based Cases

See USCIS Service Centers- Scholar and Employment-Based Inquiries for next steps.

Please note: at this time, USCIS has requested that this contact information not be available publicly; therefore, NAFSA has placed the information on a "members-only" page. Advisers who are not members of NAFSA may still request assistance, and the contact information, from their regional NAFSA Regulatory Ombudsperson through IssueNet: Get Liaison Help.

For Inquiries Regarding Student Cases (I-539, I-765 for OPT, SEH)

Step Two: If unable to resolve through the resources at Step One, the DSO/RO may send a general inquiry to the Service Center with jurisdiction over the case

• Use the preferred contact method for student or scholar inquiries for the Service Center listed below
• Be sure to include:
  • Receipt #:
    
  • Date submitted to Service Center:
    
  • Type of Case/Form Number:
    
  • Beneficiary’s FAMILY name, and Given name:
    
  • Beneficiary’s Date of birth:
    
  • Beneficiary’s current mailing address:
    
  • Beneficiary’s address (address used on the application and current address if different from application):
    
  • Succinct explanation of the problem (please limit to just a line or two):
    
  • Adviser’s name:
    
  • Adviser’s phone #:
    
  • Adviser’s e-mail address:
    
  • Adviser’s school:
    

Step Three: If the issue is still unresolved after 30 days, request case assistance from your regional Regulatory Ombuds through IssueNet: Get Liaison Help

• Log in to IssueNet and click on "Get Liaison Help"
• Submit the inquiry online (please include all the required and all the pertinent information)
• Your Regulatory Ombud will contact the Service Center and update the case online
• You will get an e-mail notification when the case is updated or resolved

United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

California Service Center 24000 Avila Road, 2nd Floor Laguna Niguel, CA 92656	Vermont Service Center 75 Lower Welden St Saint Albans, VT 05479
Student Issues Preferred method of contact: E-mail E-mail addresses: CSC.StudentEAD[at]dhs.gov (I-765 OPT)  CSC.Schools[at]dhs.gov (all other student issues) Fax: 949.389.8070 or 949.389.8689	Student Issues Preferred method of contact: E-mail* E-mail: VSC.Schools[at]dhs.gov Fax: 802.527.4816 * VSC generally requires that OPT I-765 expedite requests are called into NCSC (800.375.5283). However, during peak periods, VSC may also accept expedite requests by e-mail. Advisers should check the USCIS Expedite Criteria to see if the case in question qualifies before making the request to NCSC. See Expedite or Correction Requests for Petitions Pending at VSC See also Tracking Expedite and Correction Requests and Referrals through USCIS NCSC
Texas Service Center P.O. BOX 851488 Mesquite, TX 75185-1488	Nebraska Service Center P.O. Box 82521 Lincoln, NE 68501
Student Issues Preferred method of contact: E-mail* E-mail: TSC.Schools[at]dhs.gov Fax: 214.962.1450 *Fax is recommended when evidence needs to be provided (e.g., copy of passport for misspelled name). Faxes must use the NAFSA cover sheet. ** TSC now requires that all expedite and correction requests must first be submitted through the National Customer Service Center at 1.800.375.5283. Advisers should check the USCIS Expedite Criteria to see if the case in question qualifies before making the request to NCSC. See also Tracking Expedite and Correction Requests and Referrals through USCIS NCSC	Student Issues Preferred method of contact: E-mail E-mail: NSC.Schools[at]dhs.gov Fax: 402.219.6353