Need HELP!!

[Angie Y Shane 2]

I'm posting this topic in regards to my family member that is here in America on a J-1 visa. My family member came here to work as an Au pair. She has been with the family for maybe 3 weeks. All of a sudden the family does not want her. Can she ask the agency to allow her more time to stay here until she can find another host family? I was reading her contract she has to pay for her own plane ticket back home. The agency does not accept any responsibility for her travels back home. I'm furious for the fact they brought my sister in law here and decide they don’t want her after all.

The agency went to the home and the family had enough nerve to question her religion, Wow she is a Jehovah Witness, how can they change her just because of that? The agent that came to the house made it clear we cannot change her just because of that. So basically she has until this weekend and her contract is voided. The agency is giving her two weeks to find another family.

Any immediate advice would be grateful.

Shane

Edited February 8, 2012 by Angie Y Shane

[stefan y karen 23]

I know absolutely nothing about the J1 visa, so I can't comment on that but what value is the agency providing? They are not paying for her return ticket, then they are telling her SHE has to find a new family. Again, what value is the agency providing? It would seem to me that if she finds another family why should they pay anything to the agency?

Where is your sister in law living?

[99jjeerwerc 1]

I'm familiar with this type of visa as I used to be an Aupair. Unfortunately, she can't ask for more time to stay after the two weeks are over. These two weeks are stipulated by the Deparment of State and the agency has to complain with this rule. What she needs to do is talk to her local childcare coordinator and work out something before she has to leave the country. The agency has to do everything they can to make sure the Aupair has a pleasant experience. I know some coordinators(Aupairs too) post ads on craigslist about the aupair and what her qualifications are and sometimes they find a family.

It's really frustrating that the agency refuses to pay her ticket back but there's nothing we can do about it. Most of the agencies do this just because they don't wanna pay for it. It sucks!!!!!

One thing I can suggest you in case she has to leave the country, is to write about her case to the Deparment of State (exchange visitors section, I'm not sure about the name). It might seem useless but at least they'll know that this J-1 program needs to be changed and redirected.The more they tell stories about it, the better it would be for future J-1 visa holders.

If she ends up going home, the best thing she can do is to reapply and start the process with a different agency. I know some Aupair agencies are better that the others especially when they have better families.

Good luck.

[jaycali 415]

I would definitely complain about this agency to the Dept of State.

I had a similar experience while I was an exchange student on a J-1 visa. The host family basically kicked me out for bogus reasons. Luckily, I had a friend from school whose family took me in a week after, and I stayed with them for 10 months - no problems.

Edited February 25, 2012 by jhsm85

[Sarah. Smi 0]

If she ends up going home, the best thing she can do is to reapply and start the process with a different agency. I know some Aupair agencies are better that the others especially when they have better families.

Good luck.

Are you sure you can reapply and start the application process with a different agency again? Has anybody done this before?