TANA actively helping students of University of Northern Virgini - More Details

On July 28h, 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) initiated action against University of Northern Virginia (www.unva.edu) and served with a Notice of Intent to withdraw (NOWI) ability to enroll or maintain International students admitted under Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVIS).

The majority of International population at the University consists of students from India reportedly from Andhra Pradesh. The Situation is vastly different from the “Trivalley Situation” where in the investigation was on the students and their SEVIS status was changed from ACTIVE to TERMINATED. However, in the case of UNVA, the focus is on the University and its inability to follow rules set forth by SEVIS for International Students. There have been no arrests or detentions or electronic monitoring and the SEVIS status of students is unchanged and continues to be ACTIVE for their approved duration of study.

The University would not be immediately shut down but would be given a one month notice for explanation. Currently enrolled students would be able to continue education and finish the term after which has two options. a) . Seek transfer to another SEVIS approved University. b) Or seek voluntary return to India

In a notice on their website (www.ice.gov/sevis/unva) ICE has informed the UNA student that they have two choices - continue to attend classes and maintain their active status or seek transfer to another SEVP approved institution. UNVA does not have access to SEVIS and will not be able to issue new I-20s for new students and will also not be able to manage non-immigrant students’ records in SEVIS.

The Telugu Association of North America (TANA) has immediately started to work with accredited and SEVIS approved schools to allow UNVA students to transfer seamlessly into their programs in a timely manner so that they do not lose continuity in academic progress as they work towards obtaining the degrees of their choice.

In a notice issued to its members, urged people in the Northern Virginia area to contact the students and provide immediate and long term support in this difficult period of transition to other schools. Students can also directly contact TANA by calling any of the TEAM SQUARE members in the Virginia region. Or sending an email to team@tana.org.

TANA President, Prasad Thotakura is actively working with authorities to ensure that all students are protected from detention and voluntary departure and also ensuring that the students are in compliance with SEVIS rules at this critical juncture. Under his leadership, the entire Executive committee and Board of TANA are very actively engaged in discussion with accredited, licensed and SEVIS approved schools to facilitate immediate transition and continuity in education.

For immediate assistance, legal help or need for counseling with status issues, students in the Northern Virginia region can the following TANA office bearers:

Satish Vemana (Treasurer, TANA): 7030731-8367; Subba Kolla (Foundation Trustee): 703-728-1573


Trilok Kantheti (Regional Representative-Capitol): 703-585-3565; Ashok Kolla (Chair – NRI Student Services): 270-293-0003