Dear Potential Interns and Work and Travel candidates,
We at IEO know that many of you are anxious about the U.S. residential election results - and the potential impact of Donald Trump's presidency on the availability of vocational (internships, work and travel etc) placements in the US. We have good news for you: things are not likely to change any time soon!
IEO has received advice from key sponsors in the United State that the above is the case together with many good reasons why the above is so.
Our sponsors remind us that some of them have been in business for over thirty years and have successfully managed vocational placements for over under both Democrat and Republican (that is, liberal and conservative) governments and it has always been “business as usual”.
Certainly, Donald Trump has been very vocal about an “Americans first” in his campaign, but even after only one day as president-elect, there has been considerable moderation and softening in his tones. There are a couple of things to remember:
· Donald Trump has himself routinely used foreign workers in his businesses.
· He married a first a Czech woman (Ivana) and, currently, has a Slovenian wife (Melania)
One would therefore say he himself has benefited handsomely from international exchange!
Other points to note are:
· The Department of State and US Congress sets the rules and while politicians come and go, administrators and bureaucrats don’t go anywhere.
· It is simply it is “government under new management”, not the “end of the world”.
· Our sponsors tell us it is “business as usual” and they will continue doing today and tomorrow and for the foreseeable future what they have been going for the past thirty years.
· No one with a valid visa will ever be deported form the US.
· Mr Trump will have much bigger issues on his hands than J1 visas.
Basically therefore, our sponsors’ and hence our message is “Do not worry!”.
We shall as always monitor the situation (in all countries as well as the US) and you can be confident that we keep in very close contact with all our sponsors. We shall let you know of any developments.
That is all to tell you at the moment, so please do not alter your plans and seek to change any arrangements you have in place. If you do have any questions regarding your plans or arrangements.
Have a good day!
Keith Hardy
IEO Director