US limits troubled visa program

US limits troubled visa program

JACKSON, Miss. (AP) — The State Department is limiting participation in a troubled exchange program and putting a moratorium on new businesses becoming sponsors for thousands of foreign college students who use the program to visit the United States.

The agency published the new rules today. The changes to the J-1 summer work and travel program come 11 months after The Associated Press reported widespread abuses, from students working in strip clubs to others paid $1 an hour or less for menial jobs.

The students given temporary visas are required to have jobs and often work in resorts and restaurants.

The State Department enacted stronger rules this past summer, but says complaints remain high.

The department says future participation will be limited to the “2011 actual participant levels.”