On April 18, 2017, President Trump signed a “Buy American, Hire American” Executive Order (EO), which focused primarily on strengthening the “Buy American” policies of the U.S. government and reforming the H-1B skilled worker visa program. The Administration made it clear that they envisioned the EO as part of a larger immigration reform effort. As a result, it was reported that senior Administration staff intended to significantly cut J-1 visas as a part of BAHA EO implementation, despite it never specifically mentioning J-1 visa programs.
However, Congress sent strong signals regarding its willingness to protect these valuable international exchange programs through initiatives in both the Senate and the House. These measures included a Senate Appropriations Committee directive in the form of a Fiscal Year 2018 Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs appropriations bill amendment [Sec. 7034(d)(5)] and House Resolution 529. Both had strong bipartisan support in their respective chambers. The appropriations directive, included in Fiscal Years 2018, 2019, and 2020 enacted bills, reflected strong Congressional support for exchange programs that are vital to U.S. national security and economy.
- Buy American, Hire American (BAHA) Executive Order
- BAHA Fact Sheet
- Fact Sheet on Exchange Visitor Program Provision in Fiscal Year 2021 Appropriations Bill
- EurekaFacts Summer Work Travel Report
LEGISLATION & CONGRESSIONAL LETTERS OF SUPPORT
2019
- Letter to the Honorable Marie Royce – RE: Impact of appropriations directive with regard to SWT regulations
- Letter to House Committee on Appropriations supporting Exchange Visitor Program Provision in Fiscal Year 2020
- Letter to Senate Committee on Appropriations supporting Exchange Visitor Program Provision in Fiscal Year 2020
2018
- Letter to House Committee on Appropriations supporting Exchange Visitor Program Provision in Fiscal Year 2019
- Letter to Senate Committee on Appropriations supporting Exchange Visitor Program Provision in Fiscal Year 2019
- Letter from Maryland businesses against MD Senate Bill 526
- Congressional letter to Office of Management and Budget Director Mick Mulvaney
- Letter to the Honorable Marie Royce – RE: Impact of the appropriations directive related to the Exchange Visitor Programs
2017
- House Resolution 529 in Support of J-1 Visa Program
- Senate Resolution 357 in Support of International Exchange Programs
- Associations Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (2017)
- Associations Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs (2017)
- Governor Sandoval (NV) Letter in support of J-1 Exchanges (2017)
- Associations Letter to State Department in Support of SWT (2017)
- Associations Letter to Sec. Ross in Support of SWT (2017)
- Sen. Tester (MT) Letter in support of SWT (2017)
- California Businesses Letter to Sen. Feinstein (2017)
- Maine Businesses Letter to Sen. Collins (2017)
- Wisconsin Businesses Letter to Sen. Johnson (2017)
- Governor Mead (WY) Letter in support of SWT (2017)
- Governor Sununu (NH) Letter in support of J-1 Exchanges (2017)
- State of Nevada: Governor Brian Sandoval (2017)
- Governor LePage (ME) Letter in support of SWT (2017)
- Governor Hogan (MD) Letter in support of SWT (2017)
- Senate letter (17 signatories) supporting Summer Work Travel (2017)
- House letter (33 signatories) supporting Summer Work Travel (2017)
- Rep. Scott Taylor (VA) letter supporting Summer Work Travel (2017)
- Letter from 163 former U.S. Ambassadors supporting international exchange programs
- Senate Resolution Recognizing International Exchange Programs (2017)
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]