About
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) launched the Study in the States initiative to enhance our nation’s economic, scientific and technological competitiveness by finding new ways to encourage the most talented international students to study and learn about expanded post-graduate opportunities in the United States. This initiative includes a focus on streamlining the student visa process, enhancing coordination among government agencies and keeping international students better informed about student visa rules and regulations.
Study in the States serves as an innovative information hub for the international student community by bringing together the various federal agencies that play a role in implementing our student visa and exchange visitor programs, including the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs and Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. The site offers the latest information and resources for international students and school officials through blog posts, news articles, interactive guides, and videos.
Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council
As part of the Study in the States initiative, DHS is also working with academic leaders to increase our engagement with the international student community, and examine the policies and processes that affect them. One part of that effort is the Homeland Security Academic Advisory Council (HSAAC), created by U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano in March 2012. The HSAAC is a federal advisory committee comprised of prominent university and academic association presidents, and advises the Secretary and senior leadership at DHS on several key issues. The HSAAC has a subcommittee dedicated to international student issues, and submits recommendations to DHS on a regular basis. Learn more about the HSAAC here.
