DOS Cable Discusses Revocation of American Hospitality Academy’s J-1 Training Program
FM SECSTATE WASHDC
TO ALL DIPLOMATIC AND CONSULAR POSTS
SPECIAL EMBASSY PROGRAM
DUSHANBE POUCH
KABUL POUCH
KHARTOUM POUCH
UNCLAS STATE 127729
VISAS
E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CVIS, CMGT
SUBJECT: American Hospitality Academy - Loss of Program Status
1. Department has been contacted by several posts and other interested parties concerning the revocation of American Hospitality Academy's (AHA) J-1 training program. Posts should be aware that while the AHA training program (P-4-5752) has been revoked, AHA retains a summer work/travel program (P-3-5811) which is still in effect.
2. Note: AHA was designated under the name Resort Recreation and Tourism Management (RR&TM), and as RR&TM it applied for and obtained designation to administer two exchange programs, a summer work/travel program and a training program. The organization changed its name to American Hospitality Academy, and submitted a request and supporting documentation to change the name under which the training program operated to American Hospitality Academy (AHA). Although the organization never submitted a request with supporting documentation (Articles of Incorporation, By-laws, etc.) to change the name of the summer work/travel program from RR&TM to AHA, conoffs may accept paperwork and language on the IAP-66/DS-2019 stating either "Resort Recreation and Tourism Management" or "American Hospitality Academy" for the summer work/travel program, P-3-5811 only. End note.
3. No new J-1 visas should be issued for AHA's training program number P-4-5752. Department has been advised that individuals already admitted to the U.S. under this program will be permitted to complete their authorized stay in the U.S. Any exchange visitor who is currently participating in AHA's training program remains in status to include the benefit of automatic revalidation of nonimmigrant visas authorized under 22 CFR 41.112(d). Any exchange visitor who leaves the United States for a brief departure to contiguous territory or the adjacent islands and seeks to reenter the United States is to be considered admissible if their visa, passport and Form IAP-66/DS-2019 are still valid.
4. AHA/RR&TM's summer work/travel program (P-3-5811) remains in effect. Posts are reminded that summer work/travel programs permit foreign post-secondary students to enter the U.S. to work and travel for a maximum of four months during their summer vacations. While most participants enter the U.S. with pre-arranged employment, sponsors are required to place only 50 percent of their participants each year. Participants can work anywhere except as domestic help in U.S. households, in positions requiring them to invest their own money for inventory, such as door-to-door sales, in clinical situations or as camp counselors. They may, however, work at summer camps as support staff -- kitchen duties, maintenance, security, etc.
5. Minimize considered.
POWELL