The U.S. Department of State (Department) proposes to amend existing Exchange Visitor Program regulations governing the Au pair category to affirm its longstanding view that the au pair federal regulations preempt state and local laws that are inconsistent with or pose an obstacle to the achievement of the objectives of the program. The Au pair category is a cultural immersion program and an important tool of U.S. public diplomacy that furthers U.S. foreign policy objectives.