Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

SEVP Denies Recertification of Academic High School

3/5/19 AILA Doc. No. 19030734. Students & Schools

This notice was posted on ICE's SEVIS website:
Academic High School

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation and are required to apply for recertification every two years.

Academic High School (AHS) in Miami, Florida, was denied recertification by SEVP, effective Jan. 28, 2019, and the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access will terminate on March 29, 2019. As of Jan. 28, 2019, AHS is no longer able to issue any new Forms I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," but will retain SEVIS access until March 29, 2019, to manage any current student records.

Academic High School nonimmigrant students in Active status have until March 29, 2019, to:

  • Seek a change of status,
  • Enroll in another qualified program of study at an SEVP certified school, or
  • Depart the United States.

If one of these actions is not completed within this time frame, the students' records will be terminated in SEVIS and the student will be considered out of status. If students elect to continue their studies in the United States, they should be advised of their responsibilities to complete a transfer to another SEVP-certified school. If students elect to discontinue their studies, their SEVIS record will be terminated for the reason of authorized early withdrawal.

Students in Initial status who have not yet entered the United States will not be admitted into the United States with the Form I-20 issued by AHS or a visa issued for them to enroll at the school. If that student still wishes to pursue a course of study in the United States, they are advised to apply to another SEVP-certified school.

AHS is responsible for advising all Initial and Active status nonimmigrant students that the school is no longer approved by SEVP. Nonimmigrant students who have questions about their options should call the SEVP Response Center at 703-603-3400. This number is staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays.