Would you go on a J1 visa now?

Of course, and I'd encourage anyone to go. Go to a foreign country, follow their rules and everything will be fine.

Go, just double and triple check everything. Some of the example in the media of tourists being detained and deported, while an overreaction by the authorities, stemmed from the fact that they had incorrect visas or paperwork.

Unless you’re from El Salvador and have tattoos. Or have texts on your phone critical of Dear Orange Leader.

There's definitely a few extra steps to take before entry.

But if i was a student, then I might consider it. If a student was to ask me if they should travel, I'd always say yes.

If they asked where, I'd say that there's loads of places available for them to go to. I wouldn't place america first on the list or even last.

Well I probably would when I was 20 like I did 20 years ago. However I did end up being arrested for having music too loud and so many other irish kids were arrested by idiot police with nothing better to do in that beach town. For having a beer on the street or stumbling a bit while pissed walking home. The consequences could be greater now. If I had kids going on a J1 now I'd be far more worried than usual, Irish kids are known to be messers sometimes on J1s.

Irish kids are known to be messers sometimes on J1s.

When I lived in the north east US about 30 years ago the month of September was my favorite time of year.

The weather was great, not too hot and humid and not cold.

And all the J1s had gone home.

They were refreshing to see in June but one was sick of their messing by September.

Of course, and I'd encourage anyone to go. Follow their rules, and everything will be fine. I'd go further and say you'll have the time of your life. I visited the US for work last month for a few days and had no problems. I think people and the media on this side of the pond have completely lost the plot when it comes to the USA. Most people you meet are just kind, curious, and trying to get on with life like anywhere else in the world.

What local laws were you planning on not complying with?

Don't you register with the government when you get your social security number?

It makes sense. Surely registering with the government is something you do online, or by visiting a police station. You already need ID to check into a hotel.

People in Ireland just aren't used to this sort of monitoring.

I'd say hard enough for irish kids on a drinking 3 month visa. Especially when the cops there are a totally different ball game to our hands off garda.

My young lad is planning to go this summer, and was trying to get work on a dude ranch, but his horse riding skills were a bit sparse, so he had to settle for bar work,I'm delighted he's going

Just had to look this up and what the actual rule is that

"All non-citizens aged 14 and older who have not been fingerprinted or registered when applying for a U.S. visa and who remain in the United States for 30 days or longer must apply for registration and fingerprinting."

If you're getting a j1 then you will have your prints and details registered when getting the visa so it's the same as it's always been. If you didnt get your fingerprints taken for some reason but you still have a valid visa, just go get it done. Sometimes over the years when applying to renew our visas we've had to go and get fingerprints done again in a local office. Not really a big deal

I'd have agreed with that sentiment a year ago, but not today.

Great country yes. Ive spent about 6 months there in total across 10 trips and have had some amazing experiences and no bad experiences.

J1 now stands for Jail in week 1