Proposed federal budget cuts could significantly impact the U.S. State Department agency responsible for the BridgeUSA Summer Work Travel Program, which is crucial for many Jersey shore employers during peak summer tourism months. This program allows full-time college and university students from accredited institutions outside the U.S. to work temporarily in the country on J-1 visas, providing much-needed seasonal workers for various industries such as summer camps, amusement parks, waterparks, and pools.
The New Jersey Business & Industry Association (NJBIA) has joined forces with the Alliance for International Exchange to urge businesses to reach out to their elected representatives in Washington, D.C., advocating against these funding cuts that threaten international exchange programs. The Alliance offers an online form to facilitate emailing members of Congress.
The president’s fiscal year 2026 budget request includes a proposed 93% reduction ($691 million) in funding for the U.S. State Department’s international exchange programs. With the current budget at $741 million, this would leave only $50 million available for all Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) programs and operations.
Denise Beckson, an NJBIA board member and Vice President & Chief Administrative and External Affairs Officer at Morey’s Piers & Beachfront Water Parks in Wildwood, expressed concern over the potential approval of these cuts by Congress. She stated that they would “jeopardize the existence of the J-1 program that is vital to our New Jersey business community.”
