Summer Work Travel Program Report
A study from the independent research firm Eureka Facts shows that the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel (SWT) program delivers significant diplomatic and economic benefits to the U.S.
INtern and Trainee Programs Report
A study from the independent research firm Eureka Facts provides evidence that the Intern and Trainee programs support U.S. national security and economic interests.
camp counselor program report
A study from the independent research firm Eureka Facts shows that the Camp Counselor program has a positive impact on the U.S. public diplomacy values as well as the U.S. economy.
Au Pair Program Report
A study from the independent research firm Eureka Facts shows the program positively impacts American public diplomacy values, supports American families, and the U.S. economy.
More Resources
advocacy resources | Congressional Support | department OF STATE Documents
Advocacy Resources
Americans for Cultural exchange Resources
fact sheets & talking points
National Survey: Seasonal Businesses Say Summer Work Travel (SWT) and Camp Counselor Programs Are Vital For Economy and Public Diplomacy
Surveys conducted by the Alliance for International Exchange indicate that absence of SWT and Camp Counselor program participants harms state economies, business performance, and U.S. public diplomacy goals in all fifty states.
Legislation & Congressional Letters of Support
appropriations Bill Protects bridgeusa
Fiscal Year 2024 appropriations bill includes provision protecting the Exchange Visitor Program.
View Fact Sheet [PDF] →
Congressional support letters
38 Senators and 92 Representatives sent letters in support of cultural exchange.
Governors support letters
State governors sent letters in support of the BridgeUSA program.
Business & association letters
Hundreds of businesses across the country, and their associations, sent support letters.
Congressional Letters & Resolutions
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7 Senators Sent Letter Expressing Concern Regarding the Proposed Regulations for the Federal Au Pair program [PDF] →
Rep. Annie Kuster (NH) and Blake Moore (UT) Introduced House Resolution 481 in Support of BridgeUSA [PDF] →
38 Senators Voice Support for Cultural Exchange [PDF] →
92 Representatives Voice Support for Cultural Exchange [PDF] →
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Rep. Annie Kuster (NH) and Blake Moore (UT) Introduced House Resolution 901 in Support of BridgeUSA [PDF] →
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44 former U.S. Ambassadors Sent Letter to the White House Opposing Inclusion of J-1 Exchange Visitor Programs in Presidential Proclamation [PDF] →
11 Representatives Sent letter to the White House Supporting the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program [PDF] →
6 Representatives Sent Letter to the White House Supporting Supporting the J-1 Visa Teacher Exchange Program [PDF] →
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33 Senators Voice Support for Cultural Exchange (2019) [PDF] →
115 Representatives Voice Support for Cultural Exchange (2019) [PDF] →
17 Senators Sign Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017) [PDF] →
33 Representatives Sign Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017) [PDF] →
27 Senators Submit Senate Resolution 357 in Support of International Exchange Programs (2017) [PDF] →
12 Representatives Submit House Resolution 529 in Support of Exchange Visitor Program (2017) [PDF] →
Sen. Jon Tester (MT) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017) [PDF] →
Rep. Scott Taylor (VA) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017) [PDF] →
Sen. Mark Warner (VA) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2016) [PDF] →
Rep. Scott Rigell (VA) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2016) [PDF] →
19 Representatives Sign Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2013) [PDF] →
Governors Letters
Gov. Christopher Sununu (NH), Gov. Mills (ME) and Gov. Cox (UT) Letter in Support of BridgeUSA (2022) [PDF] →
Gov. Christopher Sununu (NH) Letter to the White House Urging Timely Processing of Nonimmigrant Visas, Including J-1 (2021) [PDF] →
Gov. Larry Hogan (MD) Letter in Support of Summer Work Travel (2017) [PDF] →
Business & Association Letters
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874 Organizations Signed Letter Opposing the Inclusion of the J-1 Exchange Visitor Program in the Presidential Proclamation and Requesting that the Administration Use the 30-Day Review Required by the Proclamation to Enable Exchange Programs to Continue [PDF] →
Lake George, NY Resolution in Support of the Summer Work Travel Program [PDF] →
Nags Head, NC Resolution in Support of the Summer Work Travel Program [PDF] →
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205 American Businesses Sign Letters to Congress in Support of retaining the Exchange Visitor Program provision in the State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill (2019):
House Letter [PDF] →
Senate Letter [PDF] →
151 American Businesses Sign Letters to Congress in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (2018):
House Letter [PDF] →
Senate Letter [PDF] →
20 American Business Associations Sign Letters to Congress in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Progra[PDF] →m (2018):
House Letter [PDF] →
Senate Letter [PDF] →
107 Maryland Businesses Sign Letter to MD State Senate in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program and Against MD Senate Bill 526 (2018) [PDF] →
32 American Business Associations Sign Letters to Administration in Support of J-1 Exchange Visitor Program (2017):
Department of State Letter [PDF] →
Department of Commerce Letter [PDF] →
28 California Businesses Sign Letter to Sen. Diane Feinstein (2017) [PDF] →
38 Maine Businesses Sign Letter to Sen. Susan Collins (2017) [PDF] →
48 Wisconsin Businesses Sign Letter to Sen. Ron Johnson (2017) [PDF] →
Ohio Businesses Say Summer Work Travel Program Has Economic & Social Benefits (2017) [PDF] →
Department of State Documents
Letters
RegulationS
Recent rulemaking documents
Au Pair Program Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (October 30, 2023)
Interim Final Rule Form DS-2019: Digital Signatures and Electronic Transmission (March 28, 2023)
Summer Work Travel Program Second Interim Final Rule (May 11, 2012)
Cap on Current Participant Levels for Summer Work Travel Program (November 7, 2011)
Summer Work Travel Program Interim Final Rule (April 26, 2011)