USCIS Proposed Rule: Employment Authorization for Certain H–4 Dependent Spouses

"The Department of Homeland Security proposes to extend the availability of employment authorization to certain H–4 dependent spouses of principal H–1B nonimmigrants. The extension would be limited to H–4 dependent spouses of principal H–1B nonimmigrants who are in the process of seeking lawful permanent resident status through employment. This population will include those H–4 dependent spouses of H–1B nonimmigrants if the H–1B nonimmigrants are either the beneficiaries of an approved Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker (Form I–140) or who have been granted an extension of their authorized period of admission in the United States under the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-first Century Act of 2000 (AC21), as amended by the 21st Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorization Act. This regulatory change would lessen any potential economic burden to the H–1B principal and H–4 dependent spouse during the transition from nonimmigrant to lawful permanent resident status, furthering the goals of attracting and retaining high-skilled foreign workers. DATES: Written comments must be received on or before July 11, 2014" - Federal Register / Vol. 79, No. 91 / Monday, May 12, 2014.