World Notes IMMIGRATION

They come with hopes of learning about U.S. life and culture. They come with the aim of providing child care for American families. What tens of thousands of European nannies fail to come with, however, is proper work papers. Since Congress passed a new immigration bill last year, the flood of foreigners who enter the U.S. on tourist visas and then work illegally as live-in baby- sitters has slowed down. Immigration officials are conducting spot checks on the baggage of young female tourists for letters from families offering them work. If any such evidence is found, the would-be Mary Poppinses are denied entry and could be banned from the U.S. for life.

To help meet the growing demand for imported child care, the American Institute for Foreign Study and the Experiment in International Living have obtained permission from the U.S. Information Agency to bring in 3,100 young Europeans as part of a two-year experiment. The host families provide airfare, room and board, and a $100-a-week stipend in exchange for up to 45 hours of child care and light housework. Already, demand far exceeds supply. The two sponsoring groups have received 40,000 requests for information from U.S. families and are petitioning the Government for a larger quota of visas.