The Alliance for International Exchange and 103 others co-signed an amicus curiae brief led by the Society for Human Resource Management in support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs, which were included in a June 22 Presidential proclamation suspending some nonimmigrant visas. Specifically, the proclamation suspends J-1 visas for intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, and summer work travel programs.
The brief supports two cases, National Association of Manufacturers, et al. v. U.S. Department of Homeland Security, et al. and Gomez, et al. v. Trump, et al., both of which challenge the June proclamation and supports motion for preliminary injunction be granted.
“Exchange visitors help support American jobs, while strengthening our economy,” said Ilir Zherka, Executive Director of the Alliance. “Businesses are able to stay open and keep year-round employees by hosting cultural exchange visitors. Moreover, au pairs help thousands of families who are struggling to balance their jobs with taking care of young children during the pandemic. Given that the Administration has not provided meaningful exceptions to the June proclamation for cultural exchange programs thus far, the Alliance supports the request of plaintiffs for judicial relief.”
The Alliance for International Exchange is an association dedicated to promoting the growth and impact of exchange programs. Since 1993, it serves as the collective public policy voice for now over 90 organizations comprising the international educational and cultural exchange community in the United States. The Alliance increases awareness of the impact of people-to-people diplomacy.