Preserving the Au Pair Program: A Vital Cultural Exchange

The Biden administration's proposed regulations for the federal au pair program could negatively impact middle-class families, particularly working mothers, by making it more expensive and complicated to hire au pairs. The changes, which include tying wages to state minimum wage laws and increasing education expenses, would likely reduce the number of au pairs coming to the United States. The author shares their personal experience of hiring an au pair during the pandemic and highlights the emotional bond and support they received. They argue that regulating the program out of existence would harm families and prevent them from forming meaningful connections with au pairs.