Frustrated with Unfair Childcare Practices in our area, Visa Violations, and Reporting to USCIS

[Anonymous]

I’m at my wit's end with how unfair the childcare situation is in the DC area. I do everything by the book: I hire at a living wage, pay taxes, file W-2s, provide health insurance, a car, and car insurance. It’s expensive, but it’s the right thing to do for the caregiver and my family.

Meanwhile, on DC area message boards, nanny groups, and Facebook postings, I constantly see "cash-only" caregivers offering their services. Many are au pairs or others who aren’t legally allowed to work—overstaying visas or working while on J1s. And how do I know this? It’s right there in their bios! They openly state they’re a current or former au pair, mention they’re only looking for "cash-only" jobs, or list their childcare experience as coming from being an au pair.

What’s even more frustrating is the number of people responding to these posts, hiring them for way less than I pay. It’s maddening to see how often people exploit these loopholes while those of us following the rules are stuck shouldering the full costs.

I’ve had enough and started reporting these posts to the USCIS anonymous tip form.

[Anonymous]

I do not think that makes you a good person, OP. If you were truly a morally upright person, you would do everything by the book, and not report anyone else.

Also, as a legal resident and visa-holder who pays taxes and has had to deal with USCIS for many years, I can guarantee that USCIS has other things to do than address their tip forms regularly. Did you mean the ICE tip line?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I do not think that makes you a good person, OP. If you were truly a morally upright person, you would do everything by the book, and not report anyone else.

Also, as a legal resident and visa-holder who pays taxes and has had to deal with USCIS for many years, I can guarantee that USCIS has other things to do than address their tip forms regularly. Did you mean the ICE tip line?

THe USCIS is for visa violations, ICE is for other scenarios

[Anonymous]

Wow. And not in a good way.

[Anonymous]

OP is an idiot and also a bot to boot

[Anonymous]

Troll rating: poor

[Anonymous]

There are always things to get annoyed about.
Someone will always pay less than you for the same thing. Let it go OP

[Anonymous]

I understand your frustration. We did the same, though only paid a gas/ mileage stipend. Thankfully, for us it was only for 6 years and we took advantage of the FSA.

[Anonymous]

Put your kid in a high-quality daycare. We have our youngest in one now and its light years better than the daycares and nannies our older son went through.

The nanny drama - at least in the DC area - is not worth it.

[Anonymous]

Of course they want cash. This is not new.

[Anonymous]

That's the free market at work. You need to be a more attractive employer if you want to attract employees who are currently going elsewhere. But, do you really want illegals providing your childcare? If they disregard rules which inconvenience or don't advantage them in one area, what can you infer about their character, trustworthiness, reliability, etc?

[Anonymous]

The flavor of the week for DCUM trolls and bots: immigration. Any kind!

[Anonymous]

You should only put your kid in a NAEYC accredited program.

[Anonymous]

In my area the difference between a cash only nanny and a fully on the books nanny is actually quite minimal. Like maybe 10-20% difference at the ABSOLUTE maximum. Usually the rate is the same.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In my area the difference between a cash only nanny and a fully on the books nanny is actually quite minimal. Like maybe 10-20% difference at the ABSOLUTE maximum. Usually the rate is the same.

It's not just the rate you have to pay unemployment and fica which can be $3k+ /year depending on their rate