Pappas, Kuster Urge State Department to Expedite Processing of J-1 Visas Ahead of Summer Tourism Season

Press Release

Today, Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Annie Kuster (NH-02) led a bipartisan call demanding the Department of State take action to address J-1 Visa processing delays ahead of the summer. These visas sponsor students from around the world to participate in exchange programs and support New Hampshire's tourist economy. Participation in the program declined due to the pandemic and now suffers from severe processing delays.

"As Granite State small businesses gear up for the summer tourism season, J-1 Visa BridgeUSA participants provide critical support for our local workforce and economy," said Congressman Pappas, "The processing delays businesses are experiencing are unacceptable and will only exacerbate the workforce shortages in New Hampshire. Programs like BridgeUSA are vital for our seasonal small businesses, and I'll keep fighting to ensure they are supporting the needs of our small businesses and economy."

"From Salem to Jefferson and in communities throughout New Hampshire, our seasonal and hospitality industry has a dire need for workers," said Rep. Kuster. "Seasonal workers through the BridgeUSA program are critical to our tourism economy and, particularly in our youth camps, provide enriching cultural experiences for our local communities. The Biden administration must immediately take steps to address the processing delays that have contributed to a lack of seasonal hospitality workers and ensure that our small businesses throughout the Granite State have the seasonal workforce necessary to grow and thrive."

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote: "We request that the Department immediately ensures a timely and sufficient process for the J-1 Visa BridgeUSA program participants… The SWT and Camp Counselor programs are at a critical juncture for the summer 2022 season. We are concerned that the present restrictions and visa processing delays will prevent participants from visiting the U.S. this summer. These experiences may leave young people around the world with the impression that the United States is an unwelcoming place and leave U.S. employers unable to meet their seasonal workforce needs. We urge the Department of State to consider the cultural and economic importance of these programs and prioritize reopening consular facilities to process visa applications for BridgeUSA applicants as well as other visitors to the United States."

The letter urges the Department of State to consider the economic implications of these delays and calls for additional action to be taken to expedite the visa processing.

Read the full text of the letter here and below:

The Honorable Antony Blinken

Secretary

U.S. Department of State

2201 C Street, NW

Washington, DC 20520

Dear Secretary Blinken:

We are writing to express our concerns regarding efforts undertaken by the Bureau of Consular Affairs that are negatively affecting the economy and workforce during the COVID-19 pandemic.

We request that the Department immediately ensures a timely and sufficient process for the J-1 Visa BridgeUSA program participants. These programs provide international exchange students from around the world the opportunity to experience and learn about the people and culture of the United States. These programs also enable students to work temporary seasonal jobs to help offset the costs associated with these cultural experiences. As an added benefit, these students supplement the teams of many seasonal businesses around the country, many that simply can't operate at full capacity without them. They are also vital to the economic, public diplomacy and foreign policy interests of the United States at little to no cost to the American taxpayer.

The Summer Work Travel (SWT) and Camp Counselor programs help to support and supplement workers at seasonal businesses and camps in iconic American tourist and rural destinations. There are over 300,000 participants from more than 200 countries and territories that visit the United States on a J-- 1 cultural exchange visa each year. Unfortunately, due to the pandemic, participation in these programs decreased by 96 percent in 2020, and by 75 percent in 2021, when compared to 2019.

BridgeUSA (formerly the J--1 Exchange Visitor Program) was created alongside the Peace Corps and United States Agency for International Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign policy goals of the United States, goals the Department of State still advances in administering BridgeUSA as Federal cultural exchange programs to this day. The work component of certain BridgeUSA programs, the largest public diplomacy program offered by the United States, makes travel to the United States possible for a broad and diverse group of international students and young people.

The ski industry embraces more than 8,000 SWT participants annually from the Southern Hemisphere who provide a richer cultural experience for their coworkers and guests, while learning important skills about the recreation and hospitality business. SWT participants also generate significant positive economic impacts, spending, and taxes in the communities where they are located. There are similar cultural and economic benefits among participants from the Northern Hemisphere who are placed in small rural communities that attract large crowds in the summer at national parks, amusement parks, attractions, and resorts across the country.

Below are some of the key statistics from comprehensive reviews of the Camp Counselor and SWT programs:

91% of SWT Program participants report cultural exchange as their top reason for participating in the Program
84% of Camp Counselors report having a more positive view of America after working at a camp
76% of SWT Program participants reported a positive change in views regarding the United States
50% of employers stated that the absence of the SWT Program participants would have a negative impact on revenues
39% of employers said they would have to reduce hours of operation without the SWT Program
91% of host camps believe their organization would be negatively impacted by the absence of international Camp Counselors
78% of host camps indicated that camp services and activities would be reduced in the absence of international Camp Counselors
The SWT and Camp Counselor programs are at a critical juncture for the summer 2022 season. We are concerned that the present restrictions and visa processing delays will prevent participants from visiting the U.S. this summer. These experiences may leave young people around the world with the impression that the United States is an unwelcoming place and leave U.S. employers unable to meet their seasonal workforce needs. We urge the Department of State to consider the cultural and economic importance of these programs and prioritize reopening consular facilities to process visa applications for BridgeUSA applicants as well as other visitors to the United States.

With your assistance, we can promote American values, openness, and engagement with people around the world through these vital public diplomacy programs. Moreover, BridgeUSA participants strengthen tourism and youth camp economies by supporting American businesses, accelerating long-needed economic recovery in our communities.

Sincerely,

Source