Jamaica: J1 Validation Study Shows Good Usage and Returns

UNCLAS KINGSTON 001142 SIPDIS DEPT FOR CA/FPP E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: CVIS SMIG KFRD OEXC JM SUBJECT: Jamaica: J1 Validation Study Shows Good Usage and Returns ¶1. (U) SUMMARY: U.S. Embassy Kingston's Fraud Prevention Unit conducted a validation study on Jamaican J1 applicants who received J1 visas between May and August 2009. In our study, we concentrated on summer work and travel students, who make up the majority of J1 applicants seen at Embassy Kingston. The results of our study show that the J1 summer work and travel program is viable and generally very well-used by Jamaican post-secondary students. Based on the study, and the results, we plan to target audiences for outreach to ensure that the program continues to be a successful tool for Jamaican students to participate in a cultural exchange. A Popular Choice: Summer Work and Travel ¶2. (U) The majority of J1 applicants seen at U.S. Embassy Kingston are summer work and travel participants, who are enrolled in post-secondary institutions in Jamaica. In calendar year 2009, Kingston has issued 3,356 J1 visas and refused 568, representing a J1 refusal rate of 14 percent in this category. [Comment: In calendar year 2009, refusal rates for B1 B2 visas were approximately 50 percent. End Comment.] For Jamaican post-secondary students, the summer work and travel program is well-marketed and supported by all of the major universities. Though Embassy Kingston sees a variety of courses of study for J1 applicants, a large number are majoring in hospitality or catering. In 2009, some applicants were refused because their institutions were determined to be vocational schools, which did not meet FAM requirements for the J1 program. Overall, however, the J1 category sees a low rate of refusals at this post and includes many repeat participants. Representing Jamaica: Sample Details ¶3. (U) Using Fraud Prevention Program (FPP) guidance, Kingston randomly selected a sample of 800 J1 visa issuances and submitted them for arrival and departure checks. After receiving results, Kingston removed any J1 interns or trainees, who were travelling on one-year programs, as well as students who were unable or chose not to travel after being issued a visa. The total workable sample size was 702 Jamaican applicants. The sample included 263 males and 439 females. Our sample included students from 25 universities and post-secondary education schools, representing almost all such institutions in Jamaica. Within the sample set, 79 applicants (11 percent) had existing B1 B2 visas, and 136 applicants (19 percent) had previously participated in the J1 program. Context of Results ¶4. (U) To establish baselines for good and bad, or timely and untimely travel, the Kingston Fraud Prevention Unit queried universities and post-secondary institutions regarding start dates for the 2009 fall semester. We selected a uniform return date based on the school with the latest start date. [Comment: Excelsior Community College and GC Foster Community College had start dates of September 14, 2009, though the most populated universities resumed classes in August. A one-week buffer was added to the latest start date to accommodate potential travel delays, as well as to acknowledge that many post-secondary institutions in Jamaica use the first week of classes for purely administrative activities. End Comment.] Using this process, we determined that "good" travel would involve the student returning on or before September 20, 2009. ¶5. (U) Bad travel was reclassified to better categorize our results: we identified applicants, who returned after the start date of classes as 'untimely' travel and specified in which month they returned. Lastly, students whose return could not be confirmed through follow-up calls or electronic records were labeled as inconclusive. The Verdict Is: Great! ¶6. (U) Results show that virtually every J1 summer work and travel program participant returned to Jamaica. Specifically, only one student applied to adjust status in the U.S. and only 13 students (2 percent) were labeled as inconclusive as their return could not be confirmed through follow-up calls, emails, or through their post-secondary institution's registrar. -------------- Results Summary Good travel (returning on or before Sep. 20, 2009): 567 applicants, 81 percent of sample Untimely travel (Total): 121 applicants, 17 percent of sample -Returning between Sep. 21, 2009 and Sep. 30, 2009: 80 applicants -Returning between Oct.1, 2009 and Oct. 31, 2009: 35 applicants -Returning between Nov. 1, 2009 and Nov. 30, 2009: 6 applicants Adjusted status: 1 applicant Inconclusive: 13 applicants, 2 percent of sample -------------- ¶7. (U) Further analysis shows that applicants with existing B1 B2 visas (79 applicants, 11 percent percent of workable sample) were not more likely to have a timely return than any other participants; in fact, 60 applicants who have existing B1 B2 visas returned timely and 15 applicants with B1 B2 visas did not. As such, having a B1 B2 visa is not in and of itself a reason to assume that the applicant will return prior to the start of classes; we could not confirm a return to Jamaica for two J1 holders that also had B1 B2 visas. ¶8. (U) In regards to previous participants, we found that 136 applicants or 19 percent percent were previously issued a J1 visa and those applicants did tend to travel well on their second year with the program. Specifically, 80 percent of repeat participants returned in a timely fashion, mirroring the travel pattern of the sample group as a whole. Nevertheless, four repeat J1 holders did not have a confirmed return to Jamaica. Understanding Results and Making improvements ¶9. (U) We concluded that the delayed returns (those after the start of classes) may most likely be a result of a lack of outreach and education on the visa requirements. Embassy Kingston plans to address this issue by engaging in outreach to students and administrators at post-secondary institutions, as well as local agents arranging program participation for students. Specifically, Embassy Kingston plans to target the students at those schools, whose rates of untimely returns were the highest. Troubling Trends: Individual Stories of Program Difficulties ¶10. (U) During the course of follow-up, Embassy Kingston interviewed several students to determine if they experienced any difficulties on the program, which relate to Wilberforce Act protections and rights. We found at least two instances of students that had problems receiving a Social Security Number (SSN) and their salary payments. In fact, one student stated that he was assigned a restaurant location the day before he departed Jamaica, that he resided with his employer, and that his employer paid him with a "loan" since his SSN was not set up. The student advised that his sponsoring agent, the Ukraine Foundation, provided little to no assistance with obtaining a SSN or his salary. Based on these findings, which may or may not be representative of the majority of program participants, Embassy Kingston plans to emphasize Wilberforce Act protections during planned outreach and during upcoming interviews in 2010. ¶11. (U) CONCLUSION: The J1 visa, particularly the summer work and travel program, is an excellent diplomatic tool for Jamaica. Results from a sample of 2009 J1 summer work and travel participants shows that virtually all Jamaican students abide by the terms of their visas and return to Jamaica in a fairly timely manner. Embassy Kingston plans to address untimely returns, those after the start of classes, as well as provide information on the Wilberforce Act rights and protections through targeted outreach activities in advance of the 2010 season. Parnell