There are various reasons federal law enforcement agents might come in person to a university office.
Here is information about specific reasons Department of Homeland Security (DHS) staff may conduct a site visit on campus.
STEM OPT
DHS conducts on-site visits at employers who hire international students in F-1 STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) status for the purpose of investigating the nature of the STEM employment training. STEM OPT employment is meant to provide students training in their field of study.
Generally, employers should receive a 48 hour advance notice prior to any site visit. It appears the questions being asked have largely been ones about the nature of the employment and adherence to the training plan (employers and students should have a copy of the I-983 Form which serves as the training plan) to confirm compliance. The DHS website has more information about what to expect from a STEM OPT site visit.
SEVP Field Representatives
The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP), which administers the F-1/J-1 visa programs, employs field representatives who serve as liaisons between SEVP and certified schools. Our regional SEVP field representative visits the University of Minnesota regularly to meet with ISSS staff. These visits are routine and typically serve as an opportunity for the SEVP field representative to share news and updates from SEVP.
H-1B Temporary Worker Program
As part of ongoing investigation of potential fraud in the H-1B Temporary Worker program, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) occasionally conducts unannounced visits to employers across the U.S. Such a visit usually starts by a DHS officer attempting to find and interview the H-1B employee at their work location, followed by the officer contacting ISSS, and sometimes contacting/visiting the employing department indicated on the petition filed by the University of Minnesota. These visits should not be a cause for alarm, as they are generally routine and selected at random. Refer to this additional guidance if you are contacted by a DHS officer for an H-1B site visit.
