IV 

115TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 529 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that the J–1 visa 

programs, specifically the Summer Work Travel, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Intern and Trainee programs, are vital to the economy and 

national interests of the United States and the Congress should continue 

to monitor the administration of these programs in their current form. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

SEPTEMBER 18, 2017 

Mr. LOBIONDO (for himself, Mr. KEATING, Ms. STEFANIK, Mr. POLIQUIN, 

Mrs. LOWEY, Mr. SCHNEIDER, Mrs. COMSTOCK, Ms. SHEA-PORTER, Mr. 

PEARCE, Mr. HIMES, Mr. RUPPERSBERGER, and Mr. PETERS) submitted 

the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary 

RESOLUTION 

Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that 

the J–1 visa programs, specifically the Summer Work 

Travel, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, and Intern and Trainee programs, are vital to the economy and national interests of the United States and the Congress should continue to monitor the administration of these programs 

in their current form. 

Whereas the Department of State administers the J–1 visa 

programs as Federal cultural exchange programs that 

promote the diplomatic and foreign affairs goals of the 

United States; 


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•HRES 529 IH 

Whereas roughly 180,000 participants from more than 200 

countries and territories visit the United States on a J– 

1 visa each year; 

Whereas the work component of the J–1 visa programs 

makes travel to the United States possible for numerous 

foreign students; 

Whereas 91 percent of Summer Work Travel (SWT) Program participants report cultural exchange as their top 

reason for participating in the program; 

Whereas 76 percent of SWT Program participants reported 

a positive change in views regarding the United States; 

Whereas 74 percent of SWT Program participants reported 

a positive change in how they view citizens of the United 

States; 

Whereas 61 percent of SWT Program participants reported 

a positive change in how they perceive United States 

companies; 

Whereas 50 percent of employers stated that the absence of 

SWT Program participants would have a negative impact 

on revenues; 

Whereas 25 percent of employers surveyed reported that it is 

likely or very likely they would not be able to stay open 

during the season without the SWT Program; 

Whereas 39 percent of employers said that they would likely 

have to reduce hours of operation without the SWT Program; 

Whereas the Intern and Trainee programs enable young professionals from around the world to experience the business practices and values of United States companies; 


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Whereas young foreign students have the opportunity to experience United States culture and values through the Au 

Pair Exchange Program; and 

Whereas the Camp Counselor Program enables students, 

youth workers, and teachers to bring foreign cultures, 

language, and ideas to children of all ages in the United 

States: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that— 

3 (1) the J–1 visa programs, specifically the 

4 Summer Work Travel, Au Pair, Camp Counselor, 

5 and Intern and Trainee programs, are vital to the 

6 economy and national interests of the United States; 

7 and 

8 (2) the Congress should continue to monitor the 

9 administration of these programs in their current 

10 form. 

Æ 


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