The Trump administration is planning to end the Obama-era regulation allowing spouses of H1-B visa holders to work legally in the U.S. This move could have a devastating impact on more than 70,000 H-4 visa holders who have work permits. There is a clear economic benefit to keeping this talented pool of individuals in the workplace. Based on recent statistics, spouses with H-4 EADs earned almost $1.2 billion in the 2016 fiscal year alone. The proposed rule is currently in final clearance, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) told a federal court in a status update. For more on this read the recent article in The Houston Chronicle where USCIS is urged to reject President Trump’s proposal to no longer allow H-4 spouses of H-1B specialty workers to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD), writing that the policy change would not only “deprive individuals of their potential” but “deprive all of us of a talented, motivated pool of workers that America needs to thrive.”
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From work and investor visas to family and business immigration, The Batrakova Law Office helps clients navigate every step with clarity and confidence. Let our experienced immigration attorneys guide your next move.