Why the J-1 Visa Program Is Broken

new video loaded: Why the J-1 Visa Program Is Broken

By Amy Julia Harris, Leila Medina, Zach Caldwell, Laura Salaberry and David Jouppi•September 20, 2025

Every year, tens of thousands of young people from countries around the world go to work in the United States as part of an exchange program that is supposed to showcase the best that America has to offer. Instead, a New York Times investigation has found, many have been abused and exploited by unscrupulous businesses. Amy Julia Harris, a Times investigative reporter, explains.