NJBIA this week backed a resolution this week expressing congressional support for BridgeUSA programs – formerly the Exchange Visitor J-1 Visa Program – which has been vital to New Jersey employers, as well as businesses across the nation.
The resolution was introduced by Representatives Annie Kuster (D-NJ) and Blake Moore (R-UT). The former J1 program has filled critical workforce needs in New Jersey, particularly during the Shore tourism season.
Last year, NJBIA and the New Jersey Business Coalition urged New Jersey’s congressional delegation to expand the J1 visa program amid a sharp decline in work travel visas over the past two summers due to COVID-19.
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.
A copy of the resolution can be found here.
The following organizations supported the resolution:
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
