Advocacy Updates and Resources

You want to stay up-to-date on the news and government activities that impact the Summer Work Travel (SWT) program. We’re here to keep you informed of what’s going on and how you can take action!

The Latest

• According to multiple sources, including this Wall Street Journal article, we now know that the Trump Administration is planning to eliminate five valuable J-1 programs: Summer Work Travel, Intern, Trainee, Camp Counselor, and Au Pair. This action may be taken as soon as early September. We believe this is a grave mistake — elimination of these programs would have a devastating impact on all of our businesses, our families, and our communities.

• We’re following these events closely and taking action to show the broad support SWT has across the U.S.!

• The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee passed an amendment that requires a transparent regulatory process before any changes are made to J-1 programs.

• More than 80,000 letters have been sent to Congress by Americans in support of the J-1 program.

• More than 130 American businesses voiced their strong support of J-1 programs during a conference call with the White House Domestic Policy Council.

• 163 former U.S. ambassadors sent a letter to Congress on July 17, 2017 in support of the State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), which oversees SWT and many other exchange programs.

• 33 Members of Congress sent a letter to the Secretary of State Rex Tillerson on July 12, 2017 in support of the Summer Work Travel program.

Take Action

• Call your Representatives and Senators. Find contact info for the House and the Senate and use these talking points. Please call and don't just send an email. A call is immediately registered and has more impact. But if you're only able to write, that's great too – write your members of Congress here!

• Visit your Representative and Senator's offices for an in-person meeting. If you can’t get a meeting scheduled, just show up! Find your Members' local office information for the House & the Senate and use these talking points.

• Show your support on social media. Post a picture of or with your international employees and use the hashtag #savej1. You may also customize the sample posts below:

  • 25% of our nation’s business leaders say they rely on Summer Work Travel programs to stay open. Support U.S. businesses, #SaveJ1 [image]

  • Thank you to the international students who supported our local businesses this summer by participating in the SWT J1 visa program. #SaveJ1 [image]

  • Organized by the Department of State, the J1 visa Au Pair program comes at no cost to U.S. taxpayers, and benefits many American working families. Help us #SaveJ1 and #SaveAuPair [image] [link]

  • America’s families depend on the J1 visa Au Pair program, and the Trump administration plans to cut it despite broad bipartisan support. Let’s #SaveJ1 and #SaveAuPair [image]

  • America’s sleepaway camps rely on international camp counselors. Without them, many would have to reduce operations or even close. Help us save summer camps and #SaveJ1. [image] [link]

  • Summers aren’t the same without our J1 international camp counselors. #SaveJ1 and help save our summer camps [image]

  • American businesses rely on the J1 Exchange Visitor Program’s trainee program to help train American staff on overseas markets and business practices. Now it might be eliminated. Help us #SaveJ1. [link] [image]

  • #SaveJ1 and help American businesses expand their markets through the J1 visa intern & trainee programs [link] [image]

Resources

• Summer Work Travel Talking Points
• Primer on visiting or calling your elected officials
• EurekaFacts Study (Impact of SWT Program document)

In the News

Au pairs and other short-term foreign workers fear losing visas under Trump review Washington Post, September 10, 2017

Chamber passes resolution in favor of J-1 and H-2B visa program Cook County Herald (MN), September 9, 2017

Editorial: J-1 visa program is vital for local businesses Riverhead News Review (NY), September 9, 2017

Cultural Exchange Visas Give a High Return Wall Street Journal, September 8, 2017

Xanterra's Andrew Todd Speaks with Travel Weekly Travel Weekly, September 8, 2017

Broad Campaign Underway to Retain J-1 Program Ocean City Dispatch (MD), September 7, 2017

Report Confirms that Cultural Exchange Programs Contribute to U.S. Economy and Diplomacy Markets Insider (TX), September 5, 2017

Executive order may keep Israeli counselors from Jewish US summer camps Times of Israel, September 2, 2017

Small Businesses Worry the Trump Adminstration May Cut Worker Programs NPR (MA), September 1, 2017

US: rumoured cuts to J-1 visa program The PIE News (UK), August 31, 2017

Cultural exchange programs fear visa cuts from Trump order Washington Post, August 30, 2017

Ski resorts and others worry the Trump administration may cut visa workers program Los Angeles Times, August 30, 2017

How Donald Trump Could Bankrupt the Jersey Shore Philadelphia magazine (PA), August 28, 2017

International Students Help Boost Local Economy Cape May County Herald (NJ), July 27, 2017

This couple has built a mini hospitality empire in Seward Alaska Dispatch News (AK), July 12, 2017

‘Help wanted’ signs are everywhere The Daily Astorian (OR), July 11, 2017

Glenwood Caverns Adventure Park needs the J-1 visa Aspen Public Radio (CO), July 11, 2017

International students get a taste of a true beach-town activity Coastal Point (DE), July 7, 2017

What Summer Job? Kids Would Rather Get a Foot in the Door at a Big Company NBC News, July 7, 2017

International students aid Iowa Lakes businesses for summer News 4 KTIV (IA), July 3, 2017

St. Martha’s continues to welcome foreign students Coastal Point (DE), June 30, 2017

Where Did America's Summer Jobs Go? Time, June 29, 2017

International students learn safety, law Cape May County Herald (NJ), June 24, 2017

Boothbay region welcomes international students Boothbay Register (ME), June 23, 2017

Training Helps J-1 Foreign Workers Cycle Safely The Cape Cod Chronicle (MA), June 21, 2017

International students return to OBX for work and fun Outer Banks Sentinel (NC), June 20, 2017

Provincetown community rallies around seasonal workers Boston Globe (MA), June 9, 2017

J1 Visa workers welcomed in Seacoast Portsmouth Herald (NH), June 4, 2017

International students bring curiosity, intrigue to region Virginia Gazette (VA), May 27, 2017