Resources
Amongst members of Congress and influential think tanks and experts, there is bipartisan agreement that the au pair program provides valuable opportunities and experiences both for au pairs and American host families. Recognizing the long-time success of the program as a cultural exchange opportunity with childcare benefits, influential voices have called for the protection and expansion of the program.
Expanding & Protecting the Au Pair Program
Congressional Legislation to Advance Access to Cultural Exchange Program with Childcare Opportunities
“Over 1.5 million active-duty military families currently face barriers to accessing quality childcare services. The Modernize the Au Pair Program Act ensures these Americans will have an excellent childcare option by protecting the future of the au pair program, which also serves as a valuable public diplomacy tool.” – Congressman Guy Reschenthaler
Letter from Senators to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken
“In order to preserve and strengthen the integrity of the federal au pair program, there must be a transparent and inclusive consultation process. We cannot afford to jeopardize the success of an important cultural exchange program that expands our public diplomacy, nor can we afford to endanger a critical and affordable childcare option.”
Letter from Members of the House of Representatives to Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken
“…we urge the Department of State to reconsider the proposed regulations and ensure that any changes to the au pair program preserve its affordability, flexibility, and cultural exchange objectives. We believe that preemptory federal regulations are necessary to safeguard the integrity of the program and maintain its accessibility to American families.”
Chamber of Progress Cost of Living Agenda
“There are about 20,000 au pairs working in the United States. In 2019, under the Trump administration, the State Department placed a moratorium on growth of the au pair program. This is a clear, direct barrier to American families being able to host au pairs. That moratorium should be rescinded. Au pairs are not allowed to work in the U.S. for more than two years, which greatly reduces the ability of au pairs who like doing the job from continuing to do it. We should increase it to four years. If someone wants to come to the United States to work in childcare and that’s a benefit to the host families, that helps increase the supply of childcare services in the United States.”
Council on Foreign Relations Policy Proposal: Au Pair for Senior Care
“The United States’ middle class needs an affordable stopgap to ease the burden for aging seniors and their families, who fast run through their hard-earned nest eggs to have care in old age. The State Department can partially ease this burden by expanding its Au Pair Program—a cultural exchange work-study program providing care for babies, toddlers, and kids—to include caring for seniors.”
Independent Women’s Forum Policy Focus: Au Pairs for Senior Care
“Most elderly Americans prefer to remain in their home rather than move to a senior residential facility. But for many senior citizens, aging in place is difficult without receiving regular support services, which can be prohibitively expensive. To help address this issue, the State Department should expand its au pair program, which currently is limited to child care, to include senior care to provide elderly Americans with an affordable in-home caregiving option.”