New Rules for Summer Work Travel Exchange Program Proposed

A proposal from the State Department aims to make the Summer Work Travel program more about cultural exchange and less about labor.

The program is intended to promote cultural exchange by sponsoring international college and university students to come to the U.S. during their breaks and providing them with employment so they can support themselves while here. But in recent years, it has come under heavy criticism as reports have emerged of students being used as a source of cheap labor, working long hours and living in substandard conditions.

The proposed rule released Jan. 11 (RIN:1400-AD14) follows interim final rules ...