bluesails

I have a friend who entered a long time ago (1982) on a student visa. He had I-120 from a couple schools at the time, but ended up going to only one of them. He now only has one of the I-120s, from a school he did not attend. No longer has the one he used.

I have a question for those that entered on a student visa, is the I-120 stamped when you enter? Is there some way to prove that that particular I-120 actually wasn't used? The school that he did end up attending was a private school that has subsequently gone out of business. State Dept of Education does not keep records of private schools.

Appreciate any insights!
Thanks.

AdobePinon

Sounds like "he's" *long* out of status, so why care about the documents?

bluesails

He is not out of status at all, never was. Assumption on your part. Simply asking about the I-20 and how that process works, as I'm not familiar. If you are, then appreciate reply.

Bob

what, he's been a student, studying the same course, at the same institute for 25 years? blimey.

bluesails

Another assumption. Jeez, guys. I'm just asking if someone had an I-20 and and does it get stamped when you enter or when they issue the visa or what? If you don't know, that's ok, no need to speculate.

AdobePinon

Well, it's a very bizarre question.

Anyway, I seem to recall that my I-20s were stamped in a similar way to the I-94s, at least the first time they were used. Don't think they stamped them on subsequent border crossings. But this was in the 90s, it may have been different in the 80s. And I can't check for you as USCIS have taken back all my I-20s.

Also, the school had to sign/stamp them if you travelled outside the US - the presence of this stamp or signature would confirm that it was used. Absence of the stamp / signature could just mean that the student never left the country before finishing school or changing immigration status.

That's all I can tell you.

snowbunny

Are you trying to prove that he entered the country legally? If so, just say so.

bluesails

Adobepinon, thanks, that is useful info. So I gather the block area on the I-20 that says 'Visa issuing post' was where there would be a stamp or notation when the visa is issued from the I-20. Correct? The 'for immigration official' section might show something too, perhaps upon entry? I see the newer forms have a whole big section 'For immigration Official Use Only' (visa issuing post, date visa issued, etc.)

Snowbunny, no. See this part.

E Kinney

Yes, the I-20 gets stamped a the POE during the first entry and the I-20 is
signed by the DSO every year to certify that the student is still in active
status with the school that issued it.

"bluesails" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] m...
|
| > what, he's been a student, studying the same course, at the same
| > institute for 25 years? blimey.
|
| Another assumption. Jeez, guys. I'm just asking if someone had an I-20
| and and does it get stamped when you enter or when they issue the visa
| or what? If you don't know, that's ok, no need to speculate.
|
| --
|

C-Lee

bluesails wrote:
>I have a friend who entered a long time ago (1982) on a student visa.
>He had I-120 from a couple schools at the time, but ended up going to
>only one of them. He now only has one of the I-120s, from a school he
>did not attend. No longer has the one he used.

If I remember correctly, it is also stated in the I-20 the number of years
needed to attend the school. And the ISO office keeps very good track of who
is in and out of that college.