In a significant move, a bipartisan National Security Agreement supported by the White House has been unveiled, providing substantial relief to H-1B visa holders and their families. Announced on Sunday, the agreement introduces automatic work authorization for around 100,000 H-4 visa holders, comprising spouses and children of a specific category of H-1B visa holders. Notably, it also addresses the concerns of approximately 250,000 aged-out children of H-1B visa holders, offering a resolution to their immigration status.
This development is particularly beneficial for Indian tech workers facing prolonged waits for Green Cards, as their spouses are currently unable to work without a Green Card, and their children risk deportation as they age out during the immigration process.
US President Joe Biden emphasized the long-standing issues with the immigration system, advocating for reform to enhance national security, border security, fair and humane treatment, and the preservation of legal immigration.
The bill introduces aging-out protection for children of long-term H-1B visa holders, provided they maintain H4 status for eight years. Additionally, it allocates an extra 18,000 employment-based green cards annually for the next five years, eliminating country caps. This results in the issuance of 158,000 employment-based green cards each year over the next five years.
The legislation grants work authorization to approximately 25,000 K-1, K-2, and K-3 nonimmigrant visa holders and about 100,000 H-4 spouses and children of certain H-1B non-immigrant visa holders who have completed immigrant petitions, eliminating the need for approval before starting work in the United States.
The H-1B visa, vital for technology companies, enables them to hire foreign workers with specialized expertise. The bill aims to expedite work permits, creating more opportunities for families and ensuring unaccompanied young children have paid legal representation.
Among other provisions, the bill provides work authorization to asylum seekers upon receiving positive protection screening determinations, allowing them to support themselves and their families sooner. It also raises the cap on immigrant visas by adding 250,000 over five years, prioritizing family reunification, and granting US businesses access to more workers. The bill offers relief to over 250,000 individuals who arrived in the US as children on their parents’ work visas, allowing them to temporarily remain in the country with work authorization.
Additionally, the bill allocates resources to assist US allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region and earmarks $48.43 billion for continued US support to Ukraine in its struggle against Russia. The White House urges the swift passage of the bill by the US Congress.
Source: MSN
