We had an au pair that entered the country on a J-1 visa. Through the au pair exchange program, au pairs are now allowed to stay a second year. Our au pair chose to join a new host family, has had problems with the family, and left the program. Now, according to the au pair agency, she has 2 weeks to leave the US or she will be out of status.
Meanwhile, our au pair is thinking about marrying her US citizen boyfriend and/or applying for a student visa, staying illegally through Dec. and then leaving, etc.
My questions: if she does go out of status and then marries a US citizen, will this allow her to change her status? Also, it is my understanding that if she is out of status she will be unable to get other types of visas (i.e. student). Is this correct? And what about the 3 and 10 yr bans I've heard of? We are trying to get information for her so she doesn't make an ill-informed decision.
Thanks!

