Dear Mr. Undersecretary: In the post-September 11 th world, America has been challenged to maintain this open door for scholars to study here, while at the same time taking steps to improve the security of our nation. The Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) exemplifies the commitment to both open doors and secure borders. We commend the work that has been done to achieve these two goals

Dear Assistant Secretary Harty: The world's best minds come to the U.S. in search of a quality education and the opportunity to participate in cutting edge research. America benefits from this opportunity to educate the world's brightest minds who will become future leaders, to attract top-notch talent whose innovations foster America's economic growth, and to enrich the educational experiences of American students through cultural diversity at our campuses.

Dear Dr. Hasselmo: I am writing to thank you and the membership of the Association of American Universities for your support and to report to you on Homeland Security's efforts to register foreign student exchange visitors.

1. THIS CABLE HAS BEEN CLEARED BY SEP. 2. SUMMARY: Persons applying for F, J and M visas with I-20 or DS-2019 forms with an issue date of September 1, 2004 or later must pay the SEVIS fee before applying for their visas. Persons with I-20/DS-2019 forms issued before that date are not subject to the SEVIS fee regardless of when they apply for their visa. Persons sponsored by the Federal Government are exempt from payment of the fee. Consular sections will be responsible for verifying that the SEVIS fee has been paid but will not be responsible for collecting it. END SUMMARY.

DHS now uses the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) as an alternate means to conduct status inquiries on students and exchange visitors who have applied for a social security number. SEVIS supplements the current verification process, and may result in students and exchange visitors receiving social security numbers in a more timely fashion.

Dear Mr. Graham: On behalf of the member universities of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), we write to bring to your attention a matter of significant concern related to the regulation currently under review at OMB concerning the yet-to-be proposed fee collection system associated with the Department of Homeland Security's Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and to ask your assistance to help implement a solution that will avoid potential problems.

Dear Under Secretary Hutchinson: On behalf of the member universities of the Association of American Universities (AAU), the American Council on Education (ACE), and the National Association of State Universities and Land-Grant Colleges (NASULGC), we write to bring to your attention a matter of significant concern related to the yet-to-be proposed fee collection system associated with the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and to ask your assistance to help implement a solution that will avoid potential problems.