The J-1 visa was created as a cultural exchange program for young people worldwide to live and work briefly in the US. It aimed to highlight American values like opportunity and fairness. However, a New York Times report shows this program has shifted into a profit-driven labor system. Now, it exploits thousands of foreign students and trainees. The visa covers summer work travel, internships, and training under US State Department rules but is managed by over 100 sponsor organizations. These sponsors recruit participants abroad, place them with US employers, and monitor their stay. Many participants pay thousands of dollars in fees upfront, often borrowing money. Instead of gaining professional experience, many end up in tough, low-paying jobs on farms, factories, or hospitality with long hours and poor conditions. Sponsors run like businesses, paying large salaries to executives and involving relatives on their payrolls. Some place participants in companies owned by their own board members or create insurance firms that visa holders must buy from. The visa ties workers to sponsors, who control their jobs and ability to stay. Complaining risks deportation. Sponsors often handle problems quietly, protecting employers who are repeat clients. This system leaves workers trapped and vulnerable. Authorities have known about these issues for years. Reviews flagged conflicts of interest, high fees, and weak rules. Reforms were discussed but failed due to sponsor lobbying. Today, fee details must be reported but are hard for applicants to find. The J-1 visa story shows how legal immigration programs can be misused. A system meant to share culture has instead become a tool for exploitation, teaching young visitors a harsh lesson about unchecked power and broken promises.