For the past decade, AYUSA, in partnership with the Alliance for International Educational and Cultural Exchange, has sent representatives to Capitol Hill to lobby on behalf of host families for an increase in the monthly hosting tax deduction. The current deduction of $50 per month was established in the 1960's and has never been modified to reflect the higher costs currently required of host families to host a foreign exchange student.

Legislation has now been introduced in the House of Representatives by Rob Bishop (R-UT) and Rob Andrews (D-NJ) that would materially acknowledge hosting contributions by increasing the tax deduction from $50 to $200!

We believe this is a key measure towards recognizing our host families' extraordinary commitment to youth exchange. Such legislation will also demonstrate to the rest of the world that the citizens and government of the United States are invested in continuing to host foreign exchange students in our country.

While we know this modest increase will not fully offset the cost of hosting, we believe it is a significant step towards making sure our nation values host families as contributing members of all communities.

Together, we can ensure that both youth exchange and host families around the U.S. receive this well-deserved support from Congress.

Please urge your representatives to cosponsor bill H.R. 1504 to increase the monthly tax deduction for families hosting foreign exchange students. By clicking the link below, you will be able to fill out a form letter at the Alliance's website that will then be emailed to your representative according to your zip code:

In addition, we urge you to contact your Senators to ask them to introduce and support companion legislation in the U.S. Senate:

If you would like to help even more, write a letter in your own words, including the bill number (H.R. 1504) and sponsors (Andrews and Bishop) and fax or mail it to your Representative in Congress, who can be found at www.house.gov. Your thoughts and feelings about the role exchange students have played in your community and about the importance of supporting the families that host them will go a long way towards passing such important legislation. A similar letter urging your Senators to introduce and support companion legislation in the Senate will also help considerably. Your Senators can be found at www.senate.gov.

At a time when youth around the world are confronted with dangerous cultural misunderstandings about the United States, exchange programs are uniquely suited to allow young people to experience America as it really is. Exchange participants frequently take home an understanding and appreciation for America's people, society, and values.

Contact your neighbors, community members and friends and ask them to support cultural and youth exchange by writing to Congress as well!

For more information on what you can do to help pass HR 1504, write to news@ayusa.org.