Cultural Vistas needs your help today to protect their educational and cultural exchange programs against significant restrictions.
Multiple news sources, including the Wall Street Journal, are reporting that the Trump administration is considering a plan to significantly reduce or eliminate a majority of privately-funded J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs, including J-1 Intern and Trainee programs.
Cultural Vistas believes this effort is both misguided and short-sighted. Elimination of these programs would have a negative impact on local communities, U.S. businesses, and families nationwide, while dramatically weakening the United States’ diplomacy efforts. Unfortunately, despite widespread bi-partisan support for these programs, they remain at risk.
Every year, Cultural Vistas, through its role as a J-1 Visa sponsor, helps bring talented and motivated student interns and trainees from over 130 countries into American businesses, NGOs, academic institutions, and local communities in all 50 states. During their time here, many make lifelong friends and professional connections, which benefit countless U.S. communities and organizations for years to come.
These privately-funded educational and cultural exchanges are an important tool for building a deeper, authentic understanding of American values, our culture, our people, and business practices. They also help ensure that U.S. organizations can deliver the training needed to launch new ventures, connect with new markets, and maintain global competitiveness.