A young Lithuanian woman's dream of a cultural exchange in the United States turned into a distressing ordeal of exploitation and emotional trauma, exposing deep-seated flaws within a prominent US visa program. Ugne Duncyte, a 27-year-old student, participated in the J-1 cultural exchange visa programme, only to find herself working under a manager who was a convicted sex offender.
A Summer of Distress in Colorado
Ugne Duncyte travelled to Estes Park, Colorado, for two summers as part of the J-1 visa scheme run by the US State Department. The program's stated goal is to foster mutual understanding between nations. However, Duncyte's experience working at a local diner was far from enriching. She described feeling emotionally disturbed, stating she was "crying a lot back then." Her manager, David Morales, frequently talked about her behind her back and nearly terminated her employment for reasons she could not comprehend.
The situation took a more sinister turn when Duncyte discovered that Morales, a man in his 40s, had a criminal past. Court records confirmed he was a convicted sex offender who had served prison time for second-degree assault and attempted sexual assault. "I felt so disappointed," Duncyte said, reflecting on the betrayal of trust.
Systemic Failures and Widespread Abuse
Duncyte's case is not an isolated incident. Interviews with over a dozen J-1 program participants uncovered a pattern of grievances, including verbal abuse, sexual harassment, severely overcrowded housing, and jobs that did not match initial promises. One student from Turkey reported managers shouting at and humiliating staff, while female colleagues faced sexual harassment. Others described living in cramped conditions, with up to 14 people in shared accommodation and four individuals in a single room.
These experiences have led several J-1 workers to file lawsuits against their employers, accusing them of exploiting cheap labour while providing little to no meaningful cultural exchange. Last year alone, more than 9,000 people came to Colorado on J-1 visas, filling seasonal roles in restaurants and ski resorts where labour shortages are acute.
A Program Adrift from Its Original Purpose
The J-1 programme was established in 1961 during the Cold War to promote global mutual understanding. However, its implementation has long been questioned. A US Government Accountability Office report warned as early as 1990 that parts of the program were inconsistent with its original intent. Subsequent investigations by major news organisations like the Associated Press and The New York Times have extensively documented widespread abuse and exploitation across the country.
Meanwhile, the legal proceedings against Duncyte's former boss continue. David Morales was arrested in August by Estes Park police on suspicion of providing alcohol to minors at a closed restaurant and failing to register as a sex offender. For victims like Ugne Duncyte, the experience left a lasting scar of helplessness. "I'm just a girl from Lithuania. Nobody can protect me, nobody can explain what's happening. I was very lost," she recounted, highlighting the vulnerability many foreign participants feel.
