U.S. Department of Education made an announcement that they will no longer recognize the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools (ACICS) as an accrediting agency. This determination will be affecting the two immigration-related student programs:
• English language study programs, as the programs are required to be accredited under the Accreditation of English Language Training Program act; and
• F-1 students applying for 24-month science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) OPT extension, as the regulations require them to use a degree from an accredited, SEVP-certified school for their STEM OPT extension. The school must be accredited at the time of the application; which is the date of the designated school official’s (DSO) recommendation on Form I-20.
The guidance will be provided by SEVP for affected students with notification letters if their school’s certification is withdrawn. We recommend that F-1 students who are currently enrolled at an ACICS-accredited school contact their DSO.
USCIS will send requests for evidence (RFEs) to the applicants who have filed I-539, Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status on or after August 19, 2022, requesting a change of status or reinstatement to attend an ACICS-accredited English language study program. USCIS will deny a change of status or reinstatement request if the student does not provide a new Form I-20 from an accredited school.
Remzi Guvenc Kulen, Esq.
Kulen Law Firm, P.C.
