ALLIANCE COMMENTARY
Alliance Welcomes New Board of Directors Members
The Alliance is proud to welcome two new members to our Board of Directors. We are grateful for their commitment to the international exchange community and look forward to working together to protect and promote exchange programs.
Introducing the 2026 McCarry Leadership Awardees
Get to know the 2026 McCarry Leadership Awardees.
Action Alert: Write Congress to oppose $70M rescission of Department of Education international funding
On September 24th, 2026, the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent a legislative request asking Congress to rescind nearly $70 million in federally appropriated FY26 funds for Department of Education international education programs, known as Title VI. While these rescissions do not impact Department of State international exchange programs, rescinding these funds will have a significant negative impact on the United States’ ability to compete globally and prepare our students to succeed on the world stage.
Judge blocks DHS from implementing final rule ending Duration of Status
On September 14, 2026, the U.S. District Court granted a nationwide preliminary relief halting the implementation of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) final rule ending Duration of Status (D/S). The court blocked the DHS rule, set to take effect on September 15, citing concerns about the government’s rationale for the final rule and its claimed need to safeguard national security.
Call to Action: Help Shape the Future of BridgeUSA Programs
The Alliance for International Exchange needs your help collecting data for our BridgeUSA Impact Report.
This report is a one-of-a-kind major effort to document the experiences, outcomes, and lasting impact of U.S. Department of State BridgeUSA programs. The report will provide a clearer picture of what these programs mean for participants, hosts, employers, communities, and the U.S.
America celebrates Exchange Day 2026
Exchange Day 2026 was celebrated throughout the United States, spanning from rural Midwest communities, mountain towns, southern coasts and major metropolitans. These examples represent the power exchanges have in showcasing American innovation, education, and opportunity within a vast range of communities. To demonstrate this power, we’ve highlighted some of this year’s celebrations.
What to Know About ECA’s Guidance Directive on the Elimination of Duration of Status
The Department of State’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) released a directive this week providing BridgeUSA-specific guidance to help program sponsors and participants navigate the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) rule eliminating Duration of Status (D/S), scheduled to go into effect on September 15. The impact of this directive on J-1 exchange programs is two-fold: first, it outlines a process by which many J-1 participants will not to be required to go through DHS’ new Extension of Stay (EOS) process, but rather can continue using existing program extension methods; and second, it notes that current J-1 exchange visitors admitted under D/S will not be required to go through the EOS process if sponsors add an Expected Completion Date to their SEVIS record by September 15.
Senate CR extends government funding through December 2026, halts rule revising Uniform Guidance
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, the Senate passed their version of a Continuing Resolution (CR). This resolution extends Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 government funding through December 11, avoiding a government shutdown at the end of the Fiscal Year on October 1. It does not, however, impact FY27 funding levels or language.
5 Reasons to Register for the 2026 Alliance Annual Conference
Registration for the 2026 Alliance Annual Conference is now live!
McCarry Leadership Award – 2026 Call for Nominations
We are excited to announce this year’s launch of the McCarry Leadership Award – an initiative promoting the professional development of emerging leaders in the U.S. exchange community. The award honors former Alliance Executive Director Michael McCarry and serves as an opportunity for our community to champion emerging exchange leaders who will be crucial to the advancement and success of international exchange programs.
DHS finalizes rule ending Duration of Status for F, J, and I nonimmigrants
Nearly a year after the proposed rule’s release, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) finalized its regulation ending the longstanding Duration of Status (D/S) framework for F, J, and I nonimmigrants. The final rule, published in the Federal Register on July 17, 2026, creates a fixed admission period for exchange visitors and international students and establishes a new USCIS extension process for those visa holders who need additional time to complete their programs.
House passes FY27 funding bill, rejects amendment to eliminate Fulbright funding
Yesterday, the House approved the FY27 National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP) appropriations bill, sending its funding proposal for the Department of State and exchange programs to the Senate in a major step forward for the appropriations process. The bill includes topline FY27 funding for educational and cultural exchange programs at $647 million and did not include an amendment that would have eliminated funding for the Fulbright Program.
House amendment to FY27 State Department appropriations bill seeks to eliminate funding for Fulbright Program
On June 17, 2026, Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO, 4) introduced an amendment (Amendment 1 to HR 8595 (#110 (Boebert))) to the House Fiscal Year 2027 (FY27) Department of State funding bill that seeks to eliminate funding for the Fulbright Program.
New ECA Assistant Secretary confirmed
On May 18, Catherine Dillon was confirmed by the Senate as the new Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA). Assistant Secretary Dillon was confirmed 46-43 as part of a group of 49 nominations.
Alliance endorses bipartisan Congressional International Exchanges Caucus
The Alliance for International Exchange is proud to serve as the inaugural endorsing organization of the bipartisan Congressional International Exchanges Caucus, launched by U.S. Representatives Jeff Van Drew (R-NJ, 2), Ami Bera (D-CA, 6), and U.S. Senators John Boozman (R-AR) and Cory Booker (D-NJ).
ECA’s Account Is Full: What Is Apportionment And Why It Matters To Exchanges
Apportionment is the practice by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) of transparently making deposits into the accounts of federal agencies, which was codified into law in the FY22 appropriations bill. What does this practice mean for exchange funding?
Thirty-eight Senators sign letter supporting robust FY27 exchange funding and funding protections
On April 30, 2026, Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and thirty-seven fellow Senators sent a letter on behalf of educational and cultural exchange programs to the Subcommittee on the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Senate Committee on Appropriations leadership.
New J-1 visa appointment availability data signals concern for Summer 2026
Recent data collection conducted by the Alliance within our membership (see note below for more on methodology) shows that nearly 25,000 J-1 BridgeUSA participants set to arrive this summer are at risk of not getting a visa interview. A lack of visa interview capacity in key sending countries remains an acute threat to BridgeUSA programs and U.S. communities as we draw closer to the start of the summer season.
House appropriations subcommittee bill funds ECA at $647 million for FY27
In a rejection of the Administration’s recent budget request, the House National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs (NSRP, formerly SFOPS) Subcommittee proposed funding the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at $647 million.
President’s FY27 budget proposes 68% cut to Department of State exchange programs
Released last week, the PBR proposes funding the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) at $215 million for FY27, a 68% topline cut from the FY26 enacted level. The complementary Congressional Budget Justification (CBJ) provides further detail on how these cuts would be enacted, proposing the elimination of 15+ programs and slashing funding for countless more.