The Alliance for International Exchange, on behalf of its more than 90 U.S.-based members who implement international exchange programs, and in conjunction with NAFSA: Association of International Educators, is launching a campaign to urge Members of Congress to reject the President’s FY26 budget proposal and support funding for international exchange programs.
International exchange programs make America “safer, stronger, and more prosperous.” This has been an Alliance refrain since Secretary of State Marco Rubio first coined the phrase during his Senate confirmation hearing on January 15. It has fueled our advocacy over the past 100 days as we’ve worked to thaw a funding freeze, navigated Executive Orders and leaked memos impacting exchanges, prepared for expected proposed cuts to ECA funding, and so much more.
Read on for four lessons from the past 100 days that we at the Alliance are reflecting on to inform our advocacy efforts going forward.
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On Monday, April 14, The Washington Post broke the news that a leaked internal Administration memo proposed cutting the State Department by 48% and eliminating the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) and its exchange programs. While the memo is concerning and must be taken seriously, context is key: the memo is a proposal of a potential proposal and doesn’t mean the imminent elimination of ECA and exchange programs.
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