Spouses of H-1B visa holders in Texas may no longer be permitted to work if a rule change is successful. The change, which was first discussed in 2017, has been submitted to the Office of Management and Budget from the Department of Homeland Security. From there, it may be returned to the DHS, or it might be submitted to the Federal Register for a public comment period of anywhere from 30 to 90 days.

The H-1B visa is intended to bring specialized foreign workers to the United States. Many come from India and China. Preventing spouses from working could discourage some from accepting jobs and may reduce the talent pool coming into the country since the change would force them to live on just one income.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services reports that since 2015, about 91,000 of the work visas have been issued. However, in 2015, an organization called Save Jobs USA filed a lawsuit to stop work permits being issued to spouses. Members said they were computer workers who had lost jobs to H-1B visa holders.

A person who is dealing with immigration matters, whether related to getting a green card, naturalization, deportation, asylum seeking or some other issue, may want to consult an attorney. It is important for people to have accurate information about immigration laws, which are complex and often changing, and to complete any paperwork accurately. Errors in providing necessary documentation may delay or disqualify a person from obtaining a visa or other permission to live, work or study in the United States. An attorney may be able to help explain how immigration law applies to a person’s particular case and what the options are.

Source: NBC News, “After long wait, U.S. moves forward with proposal to end work permits for spouses of H-1B visa holders,” Chris Fuchs, 2/22/2019