Playing an active, leadership role in the international exchange community's advocacy is essential to the health and success of our programs. We invite you to join us in these efforts!
How will you support exchange programs in 2019?
Featured Resources
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Write your Members of Congress via our easy online system.
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The Latest
Since the spring of 2017, the Department of State Exchange Visitor Program has been under threat of significant cuts, or even complete elimination. Here's where things stand:
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April 2017
The "Buy American Hire American" Executive Order is signed. Inside sources indicate this EO may be used to harm Summer Work Travel and other Exchange Visitor Programs.
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June 2017
Americans for Cultural Exchange launches to organize Americans who support the Exchange Visitor Program.
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August 2017
A Wall Street Journal article confirms that the Administration is seeking to eliminate five Exchange Visitor Programs – Au Pair, Camp Counselor, Intern, Summer Work Travel, and Trainee.
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Fall/Winter 2017
The international exchange community engages in unprecedented advocacy in support of the Exchange Visitor Program:
- 100,000+ letters and calls to Congress
- 26,000+ au pair host families sign Change.org petition
- Hundreds of positive news stories
- 1,000+ Americans for Cultural Exchange members
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Winter 2017-18
Dozens of Members of Congress, as well as Governors and Business Associations, sign multiple letters in support of the Exchange Visitor Program.
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April 2018
The FY 2018 bill to fund the U.S. government includes a directive protecting the Exchange Visitor Program.
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Today
All Exchange Visitor Programs remain unchanged and are operating full steam ahead. We remain, however, active and vigilant in our advocacy efforts!
Featured Advocacy Activity
New Bill Protects J-1
The FY18 bill to fund the U.S. govt includes a directive protecting the Exchange Visitor Program.
Congressional Letters
17 Senators and 33 Representatives sent support letters to the Secretary of State.
Business & Association Letters
Hundreds of businesses across the country, and their associations, sent support letters.
Additional Resources
- 17 Senators Sign Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017)
- 33 Representatives Sign Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017)
- 27 Senators Submit Senate Resolution 357 in Support of International Exchange Programs (2017)
- 12 Representatives Submit House Resolution 529 in Support of Exchange Visitor Program (2017)
- Sen. Jon Tester (MT) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017)
- Rep. Scott Taylor (VA) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017)
- Sen. Mark Warner (VA) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2016)
- Rep. Scott Rigell (VA) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2016)
- 19 Representatives Sign Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2013)
- Gov. Larry Hogan (MD) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017)
- Gov. Paul LePage (ME) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017)
- Gov. Matthew Mead (WY) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017)
- Gov. Brian Sandoval (NV) Letter in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (2017)
- Gov. Christopher Sununu (NH) Letter in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (2017)
- 151 American Businesses Sign Letters to Congress in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (2018):
- 20 American Business Associations Sign Letters to Congress in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (2018):
- 32 American Business Associations Sign Letters to Administration in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (2017):
- 28 California Businesses Sign Letter to Sen. Diane Feinstein (2017)
- 38 Maine Businesses Sign Letter to Sen. Susan Collins (2017)
- 107 Maryland Businesses Sign Letter to MD State Senate in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and Against MD Senate Bill 526 (2018)
- 48 Wisconsin Businesses Sign Letter to Sen. Ron Johnson (2017)
