Two Democratic lawmakers move Bill to protect H-1B spouse work permits

Two Democratic lawmakers have introduced a legislation that seeks to prevent the Trump administration from rescinding an Obama-era order that allows spouses of H-1B visa holders awaiting their Green Cards, most of whom are from India.

These work permits — called the H-4 employment authorization documents — have been in the crosshairs of the Trump administration, which believes these spouses are taking away jobs that would have otherwise gone to Americans, the same reason it has deployed to tighten the H-1B visa programme.

An estimated 100,000 spouses have received work authorization under this rule, which was introduced by the Obama administration to help families waiting in the Green Card queue, which is extremely long for those from India; the waiting period at current rate is more than 100 years. H-4 EAD allows spouses to work in the meantime and supplement family incomes.