On June 22, 2020, the White House issued a proclamation suspending some nonimmigrant visas, including J-1 intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, and summer work travel programs. The order is effective through December 31, 2020, with the possibility of continuation. We invite you to join us in supporting vital cultural exchange programs. Exchange Visitor Programs help American families, while enabling American host businesses to remain open year-round. Please sign this petition, which requests that the Administration provide meaningful exceptions to the June 22 proclamation for the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program.

For more than 50 years, the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program has enabled international college students and young professionals to live temporarily in the United States so that they may interact with Americans and learn our culture. The purpose is to help create meaningful relationships rooted in mutual understanding.

At its core, the Exchange Visitor Program is a cultural exchange program. Through these programs, exchange visitors develop a more positive view of the United States, maintain friendships here for years to come, and often come back for visits. As states and localities begin reopening their economies, reestablishing people-to-people diplomacy should be part of that effort for communities and host organizations.

J-1 programs also add significantly to the U.S. economy. They support seasonal businesses in tourist, vacation, and resort communities. They support American working families by providing a culturally-enriching child care option. They bring counselors from all over the world to interact with young American campers. They bring future business leaders to intern and train with American companies, creating new international partnerships and supporting American business development abroad. The teacher exchange program fosters mutual understanding and cross-cultural learning in the classroom, preparing U.S. students to succeed in the international economy.

Suspending these exchange programs is a huge economic blow to thousands of American businesses and the U.S. economy will take a substantial hit. Camp counselor, au pair, intern, trainee, and summer work travel exchange visitors combined contribute more than $1.4 billion to our nation’s economic growth.

We ask that you raise your voice to express your support for these valuable programs. J-1 cultural exchange programs not only support the American economy and its success internationally; they help form genuine connections that are vital to building a more peaceful international community.

Please sign the petition and show your support!