Restrictions on H-4 Spouses Could Return
Looking for A Specific Post? Search Below
H-1B visas allow specialty workers to come to the United States as non-immigrants and work. However, one negative of the visa is that, for a long time, the spouses of H-1B visa holders could not also work while in the United States. As a result, some workers eligible for an H-1B visa would not come to the United States because they did not want to be away from their spouses, and the spouses did not want to disrupt their careers by traveling to the United States. Other spouses traveled to the U.S. but had to wait a decade or more to receive authorization before they could work.
In 2015, the U.S. made things much better for spouses in H-4 status. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) allowed spouses in H-4 status to request permission for work authorization once their spouses reached a certain point in their process for permanent residency. Spouses had to submit a Form I-765 Application for Employment Authorization along with supporting evidence and a fee. According to the Obama Administration, this change would relieve some of the economic stress on families and help their transition into American society.
Trump Administration Proposes Changes
After DHS adopted the rule in 2015, tens of thousands of spouses of H-1B visa holders have benefited from work authorization. They have been able to contribute to their family’s income and paid additional taxes into the Treasury.
However, President Donald Trump ran on a strict anti-immigration platform centered on the debatable premise that immigrants are taking jobs away from American workers. As a result, it is unsurprising that the Department of Homeland Security is on the verge of rescinding the Obama-era regulation, which will deprive the ability of H-4 spouses to obtain permission to work.
The full contours of the new DHS rule are currently unknown. However, it is sure to reintroduce all of the economic disincentives that kept talented immigrants from coming to the United States to work before 2015. Such a change will also dramatically affect those businesses that currently are employing H-4 spouses in key jobs. Without work authorization, these employers will need to try to find other workers to fill the slots—not an easy proposition in such a tight economy.
The Future of Work Authorization is Unclear
As with many aspects of immigration law, the future remains uncertain. For example, experts do not yet know whether the Trump administration will simply stop granting new authorizations or whether they will strip the permits from H-4 spouses who already have them. The latter would be a more dramatic action, but not outside the realm of possibility.
If you are seeking work authorization as an H-1B spouse, or if you currently have authorization, you might be concerned about the future changes. At Kriezelman Burton & Associates, we work with people just like to navigate the ever-changing U.S. immigration system. We can analyze your situation and determine your best options.
If you have questions, please contact us by calling 312-332-2550 or submitting an online contact sheet.
Co Mówią Nasi Klienci
Ocena 5 gwiazdek | Na podstawie 200+ pozytywnych opinii na Google
Brittni Rivera and her team (Carina Lopez) are fantastic! They are responsive, efficient and beyond compassionate. Brittni Rivera and her team treated me with dignity and respect as they patiently answered all of my questions. They didn't move on without making sure I understood each step. Their work ethic was impressive. It felt like they were an extension of my personal team. I can't say enough to convey my gratitude…
I wanted to share my experience and say that attorney Britney Rivera is extremely competent in her work. I had heard from friends that she was a very strong lawyer, and she certainly proved to be one. She won our case in a very short time, and my family and I are incredibly grateful to her!🌹And a big thank you to her team as well!🌹🌹🌹
Huge thanks to Attorney Matthew for his incredible support on our immigration case! 🙏 He was professional, responsive, and his expertise led to a successful outcome. We truly appreciate his hard work and highly recommend his service.
I’m deeply grateful to God for leading us to this law firm; it is a true blessing to work with such professional and passionate individuals. Their dedication and commitment help make a difficult situation far less traumatic. In our case, we received 100% support from Attorney Andrea Ochoa and paralegal Rafael. May God bless them and allow them to continue this wonderful work. Thank you—a thousand thanks.
I give my total recommendation and trust in this great organization that has supported me and my family in very difficult times, especially the lawyer Andrea Ochoa and her paralegal Rafael who were little angels that God has sent us to be able to face all the obstacles that we have had along the way. Thank you very much with all my heart. ❤️
I have heard from several people that Brittni is a great attorney. When my friend was detained, I recommended Brittni to take his case. She did an amazing job putting together all the necessary information, especially given that we had only a couple of days to submit the habeas corpus application. She and her team worked very professionally and provided clear guidance throughout. She stayed in touch consistently and was…
Highly recommend Jennifer Peyton in federal litigations. She’s very polite and experienced.
I decided to use the services of Kriezelman Burton & Associates, LLC, and Kevin was nothing short of professional and amazing. From the consultation to the final approval, he gave us confidence and reassurance throughout the entire process. When I first told him about my wife’s wish to change her status, the first thing he said was, “We will get it done.” Even during the USCIS pause, he continued to…
Great service and attention. Felt safe and confident since the first meeting. Couldn't be happier with the results and services. I had the pleasure of working with attorney Andrea Ochoa and it was a great experience would absolutely reccomend her services
Our experience with the firm was extraordinary. We worked with attorney Andrea Ochoa. Since the very first meeting we met, Andrea gave us all the confidence to proceed with our case. She always answered our questions shortly and offered clear guidelines to proceed. When my son's case received a notice of intent to deny, she planned how to fight that decision effectively. We totally recommend everyone to trust their case…
Schedule a consultation!:
Umów się na konsultację!
Libertyville
Reklama prawnika. Informacje te mają wyłącznie charakter ogólny. Przedstawionych informacji nie należy interpretować jako formalnej porady prawnej ani tworzenia relacji prawnik/klient. Wcześniejsze wyniki i referencje nie stanowią gwarancji, rękojmi ani przewidywania wyniku Twojej sprawy i nie powinny być w ten sposób interpretowane. Wyniki z przeszłości nie mogą zagwarantować przyszłych wyników. Jakikolwiek wynik w pojedynczej sprawie nie ma na celu stworzenia oczekiwań podobnych wyników w przyszłych sprawach, ponieważ każdy przypadek wiąże się z wieloma różnymi czynnikami, dlatego też wyniki będą się różnić w każdym przypadku. Podając dane kontaktowe, użytkownicy potwierdzają i wyrażają wyraźną zgodę na kontakt za pośrednictwem udostępnionych metod komunikacji, w tym wiadomości SMS. Mogą obowiązywać stawki za wiadomości i transmisję danych. Częstotliwość wiadomości może się różnić. Odpowiedz STOP, aby zrezygnować.
NUVEW | Prawo autorskie 2026 Wszelkie prawa zastrzeżone | Informacja o dostępności | polityka prywatności