禁漫天堂

Professor Scharf discussed the temporary nature of the J-1 visa program and how it can lead to abuse by employers

UMass Law Professor Irene Scharf was interviewed by Boston鈥檚 local NPR station on the J-1 visa program. Professor Scharf, who directs UMass Law鈥檚 Immigration Litigation Clinic, addressed the temporary nature of the program and how the program can lead to abuse by employers, especially when businesses are strapped for workers during the busy summer months. Professor Scharf鈥檚 interview was part of WGBH Radio鈥檚 series about Cape Cod's hidden student workforce and why so many J-1 students end up working on the Cape and Islands over the summer.

As Professor Scharf explained, "It鈥檚 not surprising that the students on this program have raised issues of overwork and underpay, because the employers need the workers, and they鈥檙e trying to pay the lowest wage they can pay.鈥� Scharf then discussed that she thought the program鈥檚 purpose had strayed away from being what it was originally intended to be, a cultural exchange. "To take this program and now say you have teenagers, youngsters, able to come for three, maximum four months to work during an intense summer period does not comport with the original intent of the J-Visa program. It doesn鈥檛 at all."

To listen to the interview, visit:  https://www.wgbh.org/news/local-news/2018/08/29/cape-businesses-look-to-j-1-visa-students-to-fill-a-labor-need