Federal Agencies, Agency Memos & Announcements

SEVP Will Terminate SEVIS Access for Westlake Preparatory School

1/18/17 AILA Doc. No. 17012431. Students & Schools
SEVP posted a notice that on 1/18/17, SEVP informed officials at Westlake Preparatory School that the school’s SEVIS access will terminate as of 3/31/17. As of 1/23/17, Westlake Preparatory School will no longer be able to issue new Forms I-20.

This notice was posted on ICE's website on October 13, 2016:

Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP)-certified schools are subject to a review of their certification at any time based on federal regulation.

On Jan. 18, 2017, SEVP informed officials at Westlake Preparatory School (WPS) that the school's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) access will terminate as of March 31, 2017. As of Jan. 23, 2017, WPS is no longer able to issue any new Forms I-20, "Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status," but will retain SEVIS access until the aforementioned date to manage any current student records.

WPS nonimmigrant students in Active status have until March 31, 2017, to take one of the following actions:

  1. Seek transfer to another SEVP-certified institution, if eligible,
  2. Change their status, or
  3. Depart the United States.

If one of these actions is not completed within this time frame, their record will be terminated in SEVIS and the student will be considered out of status. If the student elects 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 the student elects 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 WPS or a visa issued for them to enroll at the school. If the student still wishes to pursue a course of study in the United States, they are advised to apply to another SEVP-certified school.

WPS is responsible for advising all Initial and Active status nonimmigrant students that the school is no longer approved by SEVP. The school is also responsible for counseling the students on possible actions and handling their SEVIS records appropriately.

Nonimmigrant students who have questions about their options should call the SEVP Response Center (SRC) at 703-603-3400. This number is staffed from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday, except holidays. Additionally, the SRC will be closed every Wednesday from 12:45 to 1:30 p.m. ET for system maintenance and testing.