USA Plans 100K Work Authorizations for H-1B Family

A bipartisan agreement, supported by the White House, has recently been announced, bringing substantial relief to H-1B visa holders and their families. The National Security Agreement, unveiled on Sunday, introduces automatic work authorization for approximately 100,000 H-4 visa holders, who are spouses and children of a specific category of H-1B visa holders.

Moreover, the agreement addresses the concerns of approximately 250,000 aged-out children of H-1B visa holders, presenting a solution to their status predicament.

This development is particularly beneficial for Indian tech workers who have endured prolonged waits for Green Cards. The inability of their spouses to work without a Green Card and the risk of deportation faced by their children who are out during the process are significant challenges alleviated by this agreement.

President Joe Biden has emphasized the longstanding issues with the immigration system, stressing the necessity for reform to bolster national security, border security, fair and humane treatment, and the preservation of legal immigration.

The bill introduces measures to protect ageing-out children of long-term H-1B visa holders, provided these children have maintained H4 status for eight years. Additionally, it allocates an extra 18,000 employment-based green cards annually for the next five years, with country caps, resulting in the issuance of 158,000 employment-based green cards each year over the next five years.

The bill extends work authorization to roughly 25,000 K-1, K-2, and K-3 non-immigrant visa holders, along with approximately 100,000 H-4 spouses and children of specific H-1B non-immigrant visa holders who have finalized immigrant petitions. Consequently, they no longer need to await approval before beginning work in the United States.

Crucial for technology companies, the H-1B visa enables the hiring of foreign workers in specialty occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise. The bill aims to expedite work permits, thereby creating more opportunities for families and ensuring vulnerable, unaccompanied young children have paid legal representation.

Furthermore, the bill provides work authorization to asylum seekers upon receiving positive protection screening determinations, enabling them to support themselves and their families sooner than the current 180-day waiting period. Additionally, it raises the cap on immigrant visas by adding 250,000 over five years, prioritizing family reunification and granting US businesses access to more workers.

Relief is also extended to over 250,000 individuals who arrived in the US as children on their parents’ work visas, many of whom are from India. These individuals, who have lawfully lived in the US since childhood, are now able to temporarily stay in the country with authorization to work.

Among other provisions, the bill allocates resources to assist US allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region in addressing challenges posed by an assertive China. Furthermore, it earmarks $48.43 billion for continued US support to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. The White House is calling for the prompt approval of the bill by the US Congress.

Conclusion:

The bipartisan agreement, supported by the White House, offers substantial relief to H-1B visa holders and their families, addressing long-standing concerns and providing solutions to various immigration-related challenges. This significant development not only benefits affected individuals but also aligns with broader national security and immigration reform objectives outlined by President Biden. Swift passage of the bill by the US Congress is encouraged to ensure timely implementation of these vital measures.