Hundreds of Irish students on J-1 visas are being forced to return from the US months early because of new complications which are partly due to the heightened anti-terrorism restrictions on foreign nationals introduced in the period after September 11th and during the war with Iraq.
There have been big delays in processing social security numbers.
Agencies co-ordinating the J-1 programme here, including USIT and Club Travel are facing severe criticism for failing to warn students of the likely problems.
Under the J-1 visa programme about 12,000 Irish third level students a year travel to work in the US for the summer.
The problems have arisen because employers are increasingly reluctant to recruit workers who do not have an actual social security number to show them.
In the past a receipt from the Department of Social Security proving the bearer had applied for a number was acceptable to most employers.
Fines for hiring illegals have increased dramatically in recent years and concerns about illegals have heightened since September 11th 2001.
This issue is compounded for students by a new rule from SEVIS - the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System which is part of the new Department of Homeland Security - stipulating they must register their employment within 20 days of arriving in the US, or face their "work status" being revoked.Delays of up to five months have been reported in processing social security numbers as applications must now be vetted by the Department of Homeland Security. This combination of regulations is leaving J-1ers unemployable and having to leave the US 20 days after arriving.
Ms Ciera McCaul (21), and her friend, Ms Jessica Whelahan from Dublin, who have been in San Francisco, are preparing to come home on the first flight they could get on July 4th. They each paid €1,300 to USIT for return flights, insurance and visa fees.
"On the first day we were offered jobs on Pier 39 and in Eagle Outfitters, but then when we didn't have the social security numbers they just said , 'See ya'," said Ms McCaul. Their numbers came through 19 days after they arrived and they "ran back to the places that offered us jobs, but they had already taken on all their seasonal staff."
Ms Seona MacReamoinn, spokeswoman for USIT, said students had been told about possible delays in getting social security numbers and about the 20-day rule. The possibility of the problems arising was not stressed as it was assumed employers would continue taking on students with just a receipt of application for social security number, as they have in the past.
"It is still totally legal for them to take on people with just a receipt. There was no way we could anticipate employers would not play ball. There is just such a hysterical atmosphere in some parts now about security.
"But SEVIS is aware of the problems and is willing to relax the 20-day rule somewhat. No-one is going to be deported and if the students can just hang in there they can recoup their losses."
