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ARTICLE · 25 FEBRUARY 2015

Employment Authorization Will Be Available For Certain H-4 Spouses As Of May 26, 2015

Fox Rothschild LLP
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According to Rodríguez, finalizing the H-4 employment eligibility was an important element of the immigration executive actions President Obama announced in November 2014.

United StatesImmigration
Alka Bahal
Alka Bahal
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Today, February 24, 2015, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodríguez announced that, as of May 26, 2015, certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status will be eligible for employment authorization. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has amended the regulations to allow these H-4 dependent spouses to accept employment in the United States.

According to Rodríguez, finalizing the H-4 employment eligibility was an important element of the immigration executive actions President Obama announced in November 2014. Extending eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B nonimmigrants is one of several initiatives underway to modernize, improve and clarify visa programs to grow the U.S. economy and create jobs.

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