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AP NewsBreak: US limits troubled visa program

The State Department is capping a popular exchange program for foreign college students over persistent problems that have included low-paid participants turning to homeless shelters, a walkout over working conditions at a chocolate factory and in one case a woman forced to work as a stripper.

The agency published new rules Monday that limit the number of future participants to this year's level and put a moratorium on new businesses becoming sponsors for thousands of foreigners who use the program to visit the United States.

The changes to the J-1 summer work and travel program come 11 months after The Associated Press reported widespread abuses, including some students paid $1 an hour or less for menial jobs.

The students given temporary visas for up to four months are required to have jobs and often work in resorts and restaurants. Participation has boomed from about 20,000 students in 1996 to a peak of more than 150,000 in 2008 and roughly one million foreign post-secondary students have participated in the past decade.

The State Department enacted stronger rules this past summer, but says complaints remain high.

The department says future participation will be limited to the "2011 actual participant levels."

The program was designed to showcase America and foster understanding among cultures. But as participation grew, so did the problems. And after years of complaints in one of the State Department's most popular programs, the agency revised it rules this summer to shift more responsibility onto the 53 entities the department designates as official sponsors for the program.

"Yet, despite these new regulations, the number of program complaints received this year continues to remain unacceptably high and includes, among other issues, reports of improper work placements, fraudulent job offers, job cancellations upon participant arrival in the United States, inappropriate work hours, and problems regarding housing and transportation," the State Department said Monday in the Federal Register.

First Watch to bring 'craveable breakfast, brunch and lunch' to Destin ...

First Watch, the award-winning breakfast, brunch and lunch restaurant concept, will open three restaurants in the Florida panhandle beginning in early 2012, as a result of a franchise agreement with Sunrise Foods, LLC.

Brad and Keith Dermond, owners of Sunrise Foods, LLC, will operate the new franchised First Watch restaurants as part of a multi-unit franchise agreement to open at least three locations throughout Panama City, Destin and Fort Walton Beach over the next three years.

Each restaurant will employ approximately 25 people.

“We are excited to be part of the team bringing First Watch to the Florida Panhandle” said Brad Dermond. “We believe that First Watch’s unique menu full of fresh, craveable breakfast, brunch and lunch items, welcoming ambiance, and focus on exceptional customer service will be just as popular here as it is in so many other communities.”

First Watch specializes in the creation of traditional favorites such as pancakes, omelets, salads and sandwiches, as well as signature items including the Chickichanga, Healthy Turkey Omelet and Fresh Fruit Crepes.

All menu items are freshly prepared to order, and the restaurant does not use deep fryers or heat lamps.

"We are excited about First Watch’s continued growth in Florida and believe our partnership with Brad and Keith will provide us with a great opportunity to expand into an area perfectly suited for us,” said Chris Tomasso, chief marketing officer for First Watch.

First Watch has received more than 200 “Best Of” accolades in markets across the country. All First Watch restaurants are open daily from 7 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

 First Watch, based in Bradenton, Fla., and founded in 1983, is the largest and fastest-growing, privately owned, daytime-only restaurant concept in the United States with more than 90 existing restaurants in 13 states.

Future growth is expected to come from key multi-unit, regional franchises to experienced restaurateurs in new markets in 35 states throughout the continental U.S. First Watch recently opened new restaurants in Oklahoma City, Nashville and Milwaukee.

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