Trump extends J1 student visa pause, but optimism remains in Ocean City

Ocean City, MD

Even though President Donald Trump has extended the temporary pause on J1 Student Visas, some officials in Ocean City are optimistic that they will be fully staffed for the upcoming summer season.

Lachelle Scarlato of the Ocean City Chamber of Commerce remains hopeful. “We’re still positive in our thought process, certainly not of the mindset we were last summer.”

The Ocean City Chamber of Commerce has been watching the J1 visa situation closely- and feels confident that while the pause was extended- the program is likely to resume by March 31st.

“We may see an ever slight delay in the rollout as a result of that but ultimately not impacting our season.”

Ocean City is expected to have a busy summer season, which will help with economic recovery post pandemic. Because of that, Scarlato notes, foreign student workers are needed even more so.

“Economics at this juncture indicate that well have a strong travel season this coming season if all plays out as it should .”

Susan Jones, executive director of the Ocean City Hotel Motel Restaurant Association, reminds interested tourists that no mater what, hotels, restaurants and other attractions will still be open as usual.

“Without a doubt we will not close the doors, we will not not be normal, because we have to get back to some sense of normalcy.”

These economic advocacy associations are eager to welcome tourists back to the boardwalk- and have alternative ideas in the unlikely scenario should the visa pause not be lifted by the end of March.

“Last Summer we had a company that called Hotel Pro that actually brought in workers from housekeeping from Baltimore from hotels that were closed in other outlying areas- so we may look at programs like that to do locally.”, Jones says.

Regardless of the visa situation- tourists are invited to safely enjoy the resort town for the summer.