1) A Viral Rumor, and a Very Real Response

Recently, a rumor went viral in Los Angeles, claiming that immigration enforcement agents were targeting nannies at Douglas Park in Los Angeles, detaining them, and separating them from the children in their care. The story spread rapidly through social media and parent groups, causing widespread panic before it was eventually confirmed to be false.

In the hours that followed, Westside Nannies received a wave of concerned calls and emails from families unsure of what this meant for their own caregivers. Although the incident was a false alarm, the fear and uncertainty it created—particularly within the nanny community—was deeply real.

This moment served as a powerful reminder of how emotionally charged and legally complex household employment can be. Whether you’re unsure about your caregiver’s documentation and safety in the US or simply want to ensure you’re following the legalities of being a household employer, we’re here to offer clarity, support, and peace of mind.

2) Work Authorization Is Always Verified

One of the most common questions Westside Nannies receives is:
“Do you only place nannies with legal working status?”
The answer is yes.

Every caregiver we represent is fully authorized to work in the United States. As part of our placement process as a referral agency, we are legally required to verify employment eligibility and provide families with all the necessary documents—including an I‑9 form—to ensure legal compliance from day one.

This isn’t just a best practice; it’s a legal requirement for us as an agency. Our role is to help families stay safe, compliant, and fully informed when employing a nanny.

That said, we want to be absolutely clear: we stand with undocumented caregivers. We know there are countless incredible nannies in this country who, because of where they were born, may not have the proper documentation but who nonetheless provide loving, devoted, and essential care to children and families every day. We see their value, we applaud their work, and we believe they deserve the same respect, dignity, and recognition as any caregiver.

We hope that our government will create a meaningful and humane path to legal status for these individuals, many of whom are not only holding up households, but contributing to the heart of our communities and the future of this country.

While we are legally required to place only caregivers who are authorized to work in the US, our support for all nannies—documented or not—is unwavering.

If you’ve hired a nanny independently and want to ensure you’re following the proper legal steps, we recommend reading our guide on how to verify your nanny’s legal work eligibility. It outlines what’s required of you as a household employer and how to stay compliant, including information on the I‑9 and E‑Verify, a government resource used by some employers to confirm work eligibility.

3) Your Legal Responsibilities as a Household Employer

When you hire a nanny—whether full-time, part-time, or temporary—you become a household employer under both federal and state law. That status comes with important legal obligations, including:

• Completing an I‑9 form with your nanny before or on their first day
• Paying your nanny legally, rather than under the table
• Withholding and remitting the correct taxes (Social Security, Medicare, etc.)
• Following state wage and labor laws, including overtime and sick leave
• Providing a written work agreement outlining job expectations and compensation

If you hired through Westside Nannies, all of this paperwork was included as part of your placement. But if you found your nanny independently and never completed these steps, now is a good time to revisit them. For more guidance, refer to our nanny work eligibility checklist.

4) Legal Payroll Protects Everyone

Paying a nanny under the table may seem simpler in the moment, but it comes with real risks, both for families and caregivers.

For families, legal payroll:

• Prevents IRS penalties and back taxes
• Makes you eligible for tax credits such as the Dependent Care Credit
• Ensures compliance with unemployment insurance and workers’ compensation laws

For nannies, legal payroll provides:

• Access to Social Security and Medicare benefits
• A verifiable employment history
• Eligibility for unemployment, disability, and paid family leave

Whether your caregiver is documented or undocumented, the work they do is critical and deserves to be handled with respect and accountability. We recommend our trusted partner, HomePay, for household payroll and tax compliance. Their team makes it easy to get everything set up correctly.

5) The Nanny Community Is Feeling the Pressure

Even caregivers with valid documentation are feeling scared right now. Many have undocumented family members or friends and are understandably shaken by ongoing fears of immigration enforcement.

We’ve heard from nannies who now hesitate to visit parks, attend playgroups, or ride public transit out of fear. These are trusted professionals who are deeply embedded in the lives of the families and children they support and the communities they’re a part of, and they are carrying an unfathomable emotional burden.

As employers and members of the parenting community, we have an opportunity—and a responsibility—to show support. A simple check-in, a kind word, or a moment of reassurance can go a long way. These caregivers are looking after our children. Let’s make sure we’re looking after them, too.

6) Recognizing the Value of All Caregivers

While we are only able to place caregivers who are legally authorized to work, we are vocal in our belief that every caregiver—regardless of documentation—has inherent value and deserves dignity.

Regardless of their country of origin or their citizenship status, all nannies are a part of the fabric of our communities. They are loving our children, supporting our families, and doing deeply important work, often without access to legal protections or the basic resources afforded to many of us. We hope that our leaders will recognize this reality and offer a path toward stability and legal status for those who are contributing so meaningfully to our homes and our country.

We can’t legally represent undocumented caregivers, but we will continue to honor them, advocate for them, and speak up for the role they play in making our communities stronger.

7) We’re Here to Help, Without Judgment

Whether you’re unsure about your legal responsibilities as a household employer, need help setting up compliant payroll, or want guidance on the employment process, Westside Nannies is here to support you.

These are sensitive topics that many families feel uncomfortable talking about. But we believe that knowledge and empathy go hand in hand. Whether you hired your nanny through Westside Nannies or independently, we’re committed to being a resource for families who want to do right by the people who care for their children.

Please Note: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or tax advice. Families are the legal employers of their household staff and are responsible for complying with all relevant employment and tax laws. Please consult your legal or tax advisor with any questions specific to your situation.