The au pair program has been controversial since its inception in 1985. When the first two pilot programs ended, the U.S. Information Agency (USIA), which administered the au pair program at the time, wanted to terminate their designation because it claimed that it lacked statutory authority to regulate the programs. In 1988 and 1990, Congress passed legislation authorizing and obliging the USIA to administer and regulate the au pair program. The program was supposed to end in 1995, but it was extended until 1997. In 1997 Congress extended the au pair program permanently.
Au pair programs allow foreign nationals to enter the United States, live with a U.S. family and experience American family life while providing limited child care and attending a U.S. post-secondary educational institution. Au pair participants may elect to participate in the “EduCare” program, a subset of the au pair program, which allows the au pair to reduce the number of hours per week spent on child care and to pursue academic studies more vigorously.
Originally, the program was only available to individuals from Western Europe. In 1995, however, Congress expanded the program to admit students from around the world except those countries with which the United States has no diplomatic relations.
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