Maria Jose Vence recalls her time as an au pair with fondness, having dedicated 40 hours each week to childcare while embracing the opportunity to live in the United States.

The 25-year-old from Colombia described her host family in Massachusetts as “wonderful people” and has maintained contact with them since her two-year experience concluded in March. She indicated that the program enriched her cultural understanding, and her earnings of $15 an hour enabled her to travel and save for her studies at Lasell University in Massachusetts, where she is pursuing a master’s degree in marketing.

“I was fortunate to be with such a lovely family who offered me an outstanding cultural exchange experience,” she shared. “However, we are aware that not every family or au pair has the same positive experience.”

The au pair program, managed by the State Department, was intended to facilitate cultural exchange, allowing young individuals aged 18 to 26—primarily women—to reside with host families for one year, with an option to extend for an additional year. Host families provide accommodation, meals, and in most states, a minimum weekly earnings of just under $200, while au pairs offer up to 45 hours of childcare weekly.

Many perceive this program as a cost-effective alternative to daycare, especially as daycare costs have surged significantly over recent years. Legal actions have surfaced against certain host families for exploiting au pairs through overwork and inadequate pay. Although there is a widespread acknowledgment that changes are needed in the program, opinions on how to initiate those changes vary.

“This program is beneficial,” Vence commented, but added, “it may not suit everyone.”

Understanding the Au Pair Concept

Since its launch in 1986, the au pair program has been regarded as a financially viable alternative to traditional childcare methods. While daycare can exceed $10,000 annually per child, employing an au pair costs just over $20,000, offering greater scheduling flexibility. For families, particularly those with several children, the savings can be substantial.

“The costs are extraordinarily high, especially with multiple children enrolled in daycare,” noted Natalie Jordan, senior vice president of governmental relations at Cultural Care Au Pair, a private agency that connects host families with au pairs. “The flexibility and practicality of the au pair program are increasingly becoming attractive options.”

Approximately 20,000 au pairs arrive in the U.S. each year.

“Although it’s not the largest program, it plays a significant role, and the personal connections developed can greatly influence how individuals perceive and navigate the world,” Jordan concluded.

The federally mandated minimum weekly stipend for au pairs stands at $195.75, based on the $7.25 federal minimum wage, adjusting for roughly $130 weekly for food and lodging. This payment structure has not been revised since the last federal minimum wage increase in 2009, resulting in lower real income for au pairs today when adjusted for inflation. Last year, the State Department proposed changes to this policy, but it faced backlash due to concerns over a complicated pay structure that could significantly increase costs for families.

In states outside of Massachusetts, this stipend has remained unchanged. However, Massachusetts raised its au pair salaries in 2019 to align with the state’s minimum wage. After an analysis by the libertarian Cato Institute revealed a nearly 70% drop in au pairs arriving in Massachusetts between 2019 and 2022, the state has become an example of how substantial wage hikes might negatively impact the program.

“It’s not uncommon to advocate for increasing pay in caregiving roles, as they are incredibly vital,” remarked Carrie Lukas, president of the Independent Women’s Forum, a conservative organization suggesting the expansion of the au pair program. However, she cautioned that raising wages or implementing other well-intentioned changes could reduce available jobs or lead to underground employment situations that would sacrifice worker protections.

Jordan from Cultural Care Au Pair mentioned that the agency is open to a “reasonable” increase in wages but stressed that the stipend is meant for recreational expenditures. Host families are expected to cover all living expenses.

Advocates are calling for an increase in the pay for au pairs.

Isis Mabel Zàrate emigrated from Mexico to Massachusetts in 2016 to become an au pair, prior to a pay structure update in the state. She noted that while the program allowed her to gain new skills and connect with people from different cultures, it also presented some unexpected financial burdens.

Au pairs must complete a minimum of six credit hours at an accredited U.S. college during their first year, with host families responsible for the first $500 of expenses. Any further costs fall on the au pairs themselves, leaving Mabel Zàrate with an additional $300 bill in her first year.

Another challenge was the lack of insurance. When Mabel Zàrate had her expired birth control implant removed in the U.S., she believed her agency’s health insurance would cover it, but she discovered she was liable for a bill of nearly $4,000, which took her years to repay.

“When I began the program, I thought the earnings would be sufficient to cover educational expenses and travel,” she told YSL News. “However, it didn’t take long to realize that wasn’t the case.”

Janie Chuang, a law professor at American University, is in favor of raising au pair wages to be more competitive with other childcare salaries.

“This program clearly needs revisions,” Chuang stated. “There’s a significant demand for affordable childcare, but should migrant workers have to shoulder this burden?”

Varied Experiences

The future of the au pair program in the U.S. remains uncertain. Yet even supporters like host Mira Goto see opportunities for enhancement.

At 37, Santa Cruz resident Goto advocates for the program, having been raised with au pairs herself. Now a mother to a 3-year-old, she and her husband have matched with three different au pairs.

Goto appreciates the cultural enrichment her son receives, especially now that they have an au pair from Japan, reflecting her husband’s mixed heritage. She delights in hearing her son sing Japanese songs and experiment with the language.

“The cultural exchange aspect was a significant draw for us,” Goto explained.

Additionally, Goto ensures her au pair benefits from the experience by providing more than the minimum stipend, allowing her ample time for travel, and including her in family events, from dining out to large gatherings.

“I have one child, yet we operate as a family of four,” Goto remarked.

Despite her positive experiences, Goto has encountered distressing stories from au pairs, particularly young women of color, who have faced exploitation.

A 2018 report examining the au pair program, which featured 16 personal accounts, revealed instances of “wage theft, coercion, sexual harassment, retaliation, and misrepresentation,” among other abuses. The study, co-authored by the International Human Rights Law Clinic of American University, criticized the J-1 au pair program for functioning as a labor program disguised as a cultural exchange.

“Some participants have incredibly positive experiences, finding it a great opportunity for work and income, mainly for young women,” commented Anna Duncan, national organizing director at the National Domestic Workers Alliance, an advocacy group involved in the report. “However, many cases represent severely underpaid and, in numerous instances, abusive situations due to inadequate regulation of the program.”

Jordan from Cultural Care Au Pair asserted that the program is “thoroughly regulated,” with extensive vetting and measures like regular check-ins with local coordinators. She referenced surveys indicating that au pairs frequently report high satisfaction. If problems arise, au pairs can alert their agency or the State Department and request a rematch with another family.

However, rematching can be risky for au pairs, as failing to secure a new family within two weeks may jeopardize their visa status.

Goto noted that she has interacted with au pairs who hesitate to report mistreatment to their agencies, fearing they may end up without a new match or relocated away from their established friendships.

“In an ideal scenario, host families would act more responsibly,” Goto concluded.