H1B visa holder's spouse may not get to work in US

Washington : In yet another shocking move, Donald Trump administration is now planning to bar spoused of H1B visa holders from working in the United States.

If move comes to effect, then it will have an impact on more than 70,000 H-4 visa holders who have work permits.

H-4 visa is issued to the spouse of H1B holders that allow them to work for their living while staying in the country.

Indian-Americans are amongst the majority who enjoy benefit of the H4 Visa.

Issued in 2015, the Obama administration intoduced a rule that allows work permits for spouses who otherwise could not be employed while H-1B visa holders seek permanent resident status -- a process that can take a decade or longer.

The Trump administration is now planning to terminate the provision.

"Our plans include proposing regulatory changes to remove H-4 dependent spouses from the class of aliens eligible for employment authorisation, thereby reversing the 2015 final rule that granted such eligibility," US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Francis Cissna said.

He said such action would comport with the executive order requirement to "propose new rules and issue new guidance, to supersede or revise previous rules and guidance if appropriate, to protect the interests of United States workers in the administration of our immigration system ... "