The Number of Irish J1 Students Travelling to US Has Fallen by 25%
The Number of Irish J1 Students Travelling to US Has Fallen by 25%
Text: Izzy Copestake
J1 applicants are now required to make all of their social media accounts publicly viewable.
The number of Irish students heading to the United States under the J1 visa programme has dropped by 25%, according to recent preliminary figures from the US Department of Commerce. The sharp decline, recorded in May, comes in the wake of new social media screening measures introduced by US authorities.
Under updated visa protocols unveiled by the US State Department, applicants are now required to make all of their social media accounts publicly viewable. Consular officials are directed to examine online profiles for any signs of “hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”
The move has raised concerns among students, parents, and education bodies in Ireland, who fear the new requirements are overly invasive and may deter young people from applying.
Ireland isn’t the only country seeing a downturn. Student travel from Denmark also dropped steeply last month, with a 32% decrease in J1 visa arrivals compared to the same period last year.
The J1 programme has long been a rite of passage for Irish university students seeking summer work experience and cultural exchange in the US. However, with increased digital scrutiny and fears around data privacy, participation may continue to fall.
Irish officials have called for discussions with US counterparts to clarify the new measures and to ensure student exchange remains open, safe, and fair.
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