CARSON CITY — President Trump’s recent suspension of the J-1 Visa program spurred Nevada Governor Steve Sisolak to take action this week to protect educators working within the state.
Sisolak penned a letter to Trump asking him to reverse course on the suspension, saying that the decision undermines access to individuals with talents and skills vital to Nevada’s educational system.
“As Governor of the State Nevada, I write to express my profound concerns with the suspension of the J-1 visa program for our educators,” Governor Sisolak wrote in the letter. “The suspension of these visas undermines access to talents and skills that have historically enriched and enhanced our State and our nation and will potentially leave thousands of special education students without a teacher.”
Trump’s proclamation would negatively impact 95 teachers working in Nevada, 88 of whom the governor says were recruited to fill critical special education vacancies.
According to a statement from the governor’s office, the Nevada Department of Education employs around 250 educators on J-1 visas at any given time. In addition to impacting those currently working in the state, the proclamation would also prevent Nevada school districts from hiring nearly 100 new teachers for the upcoming school year.
