Today, Representatives Blake Moore (R-UT) and Annie Kuster (D-NH) introduced a resolution expressing congressional support for BridgeUSA programs—formerly the Exchange Visitor J-1 Visa Program—which are vital to the economy and national interests of the United States. Across the nation, and in states like Utah and New Hampshire, participants in these programs fill vital workforce needs, strengthen America’s tourism industry and cultural diversity, and advance our important diplomatic efforts domestically and abroad. Approximately 300,000 participants from over 200 counties and territories visit the United States on a J-1 cultural exchange visa each year.
“I am proud to introduce this resolution reaffirming Congress’ bipartisan support of the BridgeUSA programs,” said Representative Blake Moore. “As I have traveled across Utah’s First Congressional District, the message I have heard from community and business leaders alike is that these programs simply work. Not only do they deepen ties between our communities and our allies abroad, but they allow our employers to fill important vacancies and address the challenging workforce shortages that exist here in Utah and across the nation.”
“Small businesses here in New Hampshire and across the country rely on the BridgeUSA program — a work-and study-based exchange visitor program — to staff their operations and serve their communities,” said Rep. Annie Kuster. “It is essential Congress does its part to strengthen this program and ensure American businesses have the workforce they need, especially in regions like the North Country where visiting workers fill critical vacancies during the busy tourism season. I was proud to help introduce this House Resolution today in support of BridgeUSA programs and the important role they play in our national and local economies.”
The BridgeUSA programs were created alongside the Peace Corps and U.S. Agency for International Development during the Cold War to promote the diplomatic and foreign affairs goals of the United States, which the State Department still advances in administering BridgeUSA as federal cultural exchange programs. The programs make travel to the United States possible for a broad and diverse group of international students and young people.
This resolution has received broad support from many external organizations and stakeholders:
National Associations
Alliance for International Exchange
American Camp Association
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA)
IAAPA, The Global Association for the Attractions Industry
National Ski Areas Association
The Pool and Hot Tub Alliance
U.S. Travel Association
International Society of Hotel Associations (ISHA)
State/Regional Associations
Garfield County Office of Tourism
Utah Tourism Industry Association
Visit Ogden
BioNJ
California Attractions and Parks Association
Cape May County Department of Tourism
Colorado Ski Country, USA
Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey (CIANJ)
Destination Door County
Greater Wildwoods Tourism Authority
Greater Wildwoods Tourism Improvement and Development Authority
HospitalityMaine
Idaho Ski Areas Association
Intermountain Ski Areas Association
Michigan Ski Areas Association
Midwest Ski Areas Association
Minnesota Ski Areas Association
Monmouth-Ocean Development Council
Montana Ski Areas Association
NEAAPA – The Northeast’s Entertainment Association
New Jersey Amusement Association
New Jersey Association of Mental Health and Addiction Agencies, Inc.
New Jersey Campground & Outdoor Lodging Association
New Jersey Licensed Beverage Association
New Mexico Ski Areas Association
NJ Restaurant & Hospitality Association
NJ Tourism Industry Association
NJBIA – New Jersey Business and Industry Association
Ocean City Hotel-Motel-Restaurant Association
Pacific Northwest Ski Areas Association
Pennsylvania Amusement Parks & Attractions
Pennsylvania Ski Areas Association
Ski Areas of New York
Ski California
Ski Maine
Ski New Hampshire
Ski Utah
SNJDC
Southeast Ski Areas Association
TechUnited:NJ
Vermont Ski Areas Association
Visit South Jersey
West Virginia Ski Areas Association
Western Association of Independent Camps
Wisconsin Dells Visitor & Convention Bureau
Wisconsin Ski Areas Association
Chambers of Commerce
Northern Utah Chamber Coalition
Box Elder Chamber of Commerce
Cache Valley Chamber of Commerce
Vernal Area Chamber of Commerce
Park City Chamber of Commerce
Salt Lake Chamber
Big Sky Chamber of Commerce
Cape May County Chamber of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey
Cook County (MN) Chamber of Commerce
Gardiner Chamber of Commerce & CVB
Gloucester County Chamber of Commerce
Greater Atlantic City Chamber
Greater Ocean City Chamber of Commerce
Greater Vineland Chamber of Commerce
Greater Westfield Area Chamber of Commerce Foundation
Greater Wildwood Chamber of Commerce
Hampton Area Chamber of Commerce
Lake George Regional Chamber of Commerce & CVB
Meadowlands Regional Chamber & CVB
NJ State Chamber of Commerce
Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce
Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce
Rehoboth Beach-Dewey Beach Chamber Of Commerce
Sea Isle City Chamber / Revitalization
Southern Ocean County Chamber of Commerce
Local Businesses Nationwide
Alpengirl camp
Astrocamp
Cali Camp
Camp Nor’wester
Camp Ocean Pines
CampGroup LLC
Canobie Lake Park
Canoe Island French Camp
Canyon Creek Summer Camp
Carmel Valley Tennis Camp
Catalina Island Camps
Cedar Fair Entertainment
Cheley Colorado Camps
Deer Crossing Camp
Four Winds Camp
Friendly Pines Camp
Knoebels Amusement Resort
Loon Reservation Service & Sales
Morey’s Piers
Mountain Camp
Mountain Camp Woodside
Mountain View Grand Resort and Spa
One Love Brewery
R.M. Pyles Boys Camp
River Way Ranch Camp
Shaffer’s High Sierra Camp, Inc.
Signature Services Corporation
Skylake Yosemite Camp
Teton Valley Ranch Camp
The Margate Resort
The Wilderness Inn
Tocaloma Day Camp
Westgate Park City Resort & Spa
BridgeUSA Program Sponsors
A Cultural Exchange Service
Alliance Abroad Group
Alliance Strategies
American Exchange Organization, Inc
CCUSA
Center for International Career Development – CICD
CIEE
Cordell Hull Foundation
Cultural Exchange Network (Cenet)
Cultural Homestay International (CHI)
Cultural Vistas
Dynamic Global Exchange
Educational Resource Development Trust
GeoVisions
Greenheart International
InterExchange, Inc.
International Exchange of North America
International Teacher Exchange Services LLC
Intrax Inc.
NorthWest Student Exchange
United Studies, Inc
World Wide Cultural Exchange, Inc.
Institutions of Higher Education
Weber State University
Salt Lake Community College
The University of Utah
Utah State University
