To require the Secretary of Homeland Security to strengthen student visa background checks and improve the monitoring of foreign students in the United States, and for other purposes.
The Student Visa Security Improvement Act strengthens security measures for foreign students entering and studying in the United States. The bill requires the Department of Homeland Security to conduct more thorough background checks on student visa applicants within 180 days, with special focus on identifying security threats, and mandates that DHS personnel conduct in-person interviews and on-site document reviews where appropriate. The legislation also establishes new monitoring requirements for schools and exchange programs, including mandatory check-ins with students at least every 60 days and requirements to report student transfers, major changes, or absences exceeding 30 days during academic terms within 10 days. Schools and exchange programs must designate authorized users to access the student tracking system, with requirements for additional access based on enrollment numbers, and the DHS must upgrade its tracking system to verify academic performance and ensure timely data entry. The Government Accountability Office must review the fees associated with the student visa program, and the DHS must submit biennial reports to Congress on student visa compliance and institutional reporting practices.
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