here is what a J1 visa is
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Immigration Library: J-1 Visa
The J-1 Visa or Exchange Visitor Program was first implemented in 1961 as part of the Mutual Educational and Cultural Exchange Act of 1961. The motivation behind this act was to promote the understanding of other cultures by the people of the United States and likewise the understanding of the America culture by people of other countries through educational and cultural exchanges.
A J-1 Visa is a non-immigrant visa available to aliens that fall under the designation of “Exchange Visitor”. To obtain a J-1 Visa, your sponsor must be accredited through the Exchange Visitor Program designated by the U.S. State Department.
Certain classes of J-1 “Exchange Visitor” require that the alien return to his/her home country or country of last permanent residence for a period of two (2) years after the completion of the J-1 status if: 1) the J-1 program is financed by the U.S. government or the government of the alien’s home country; 2) the home country of the alien has a shortage of people with skills that the alien has; or 3) the alien receives medical training as interns or residents.
How does Publix get away with this?
I think there are restaurants and amusement parks in the North Woods of Wisconsin that have used this visa. I was fishing in Minocqua a few years back and the waiters at one local restaurant were all Polish. It seemed there were no teens in town; most service personnel were either Eastern European or retired locals.