‘No indication’ US J-1s under threat despite reports

The Department of Foreign Affairs has received no information that would suggest Irish J-1 visas are under threat, despite weekend reports that the US administration is considering “major reductions” in the number of summer work exchange visitors.

Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said he did not intend to respond directly to a report quoting ‘unnamed sources’ in the Wall Street Journal that suggested the program, which is hugely popular with Irish students, could be in the firing line.

He said: “It is important not to draw any conclusions. The program has been hugely successful and we have had absolutely no indication of any change.