Trump Administration Targets H-4 Visa Holder Work Permits in Regulatory Agenda
The Trump administration has proposed removing employment authorization for H-4 visa holders in its regulatory agenda. The move has raised concerns among thousands of Indian families in the US, who rely on the H-4 EAD programme to pursue careers and earn independent incomes while their spouses remain in the green-card queue.
However, the proposal is still at an early stage and does not immediately affect existing employment authorizations. The Department of Homeland Security has classified it as a 'Long-Term Action', with no draft regulatory text released or deadline set for publishing one.
Immigration attorney Jonathan Wasden advised H-4 EAD holders not to panic, noting that there is a long road between the proposal and an actual change in the law. He pointed out that an earlier attempt to change the rules had failed due to problems with the economic impact analysis.