Washington D.C.: USINPAC commends Reps. Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo for introducing H.R. 1750, a bill to save work authorization for H-4 visa holders.
During the Obama Administration, work authorizations were extended to the spouses of H-1B visa holders but a final rule to suspend the program is under consideration by the Trump Administration. H.R. 1750 would continue to apply the rule.
The rule, if extended, would continue to allow certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders stuck in green card backlogs to obtain employment authorization. This would allow H-4 visa holders to pursue their own professional goals and contribute to the economy. Since the rule was implemented, over 100,000 workers, mainly women, have received employment authorization, according to Reps. Lofgren and Eshoo.
Mr. Sanjay Puri, Chairman of USINPAC, said, “Many H-1B workers waiting on green cards cannot afford to live and work in high-cost areas on a single income. Extending the rule is the right call and I hope the Trump Administration will support this initiative, which continues to be important to the Indian American community.”
In March of this year, Reps. Eshoo and Lofgren sent a letter to Department of Homeland Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen, urging her to reconsider DHS’s proposal to revoke eligibility for authorization to H-4 dependent spouses. On November 16, 2018, they introduced H.R. 1750, which has now has been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary for consideration
About USINPAC:
The US India Political Action Committee (USINPAC) is a bipartisan nonprofit organization that leverages the over 3.2 million Indian Americans to bring about outcomes that matter. USINPAC provides support to candidates for federal, state, and local offices, and serves as a resource for federal agencies, lawmakers, and Congressional staff. For more information, please visit. www.usinpac.com.