90% of work-permits given to H-1B visa-holders' spouses are Indians
The United States has given work permits to over 71,000 spouses of H-1B visa holders, 90% of whom are Indians. In 2015, the Obama government began issuing work authorization to spouses of H-1B visa holders. Spouses of H-1B visa holders who had been living in the US for six years, and were in the process of applying for green cards, were eligible for this programme.
What is an H-4 Visa, whose largest beneficiaries are Indians?
An H-4 visa is issued to a dependent family member (spouse or children under 21 years) of H-1B visa holders. The H-4 visa holders don't get a social security number, and hence cannot be employed. But they can get a driver's license, pursue education and open bank account. In 2015, 80% of 1,25,000 people who were issued H-4 visas were Indians.
This is what the report said
The Migration Policy institute said, "As of June 2017, USCIS had granted 71,287 initial (versus renewal) employment authorization documents to H-4 spouses. Of those H-4 spouses with work authorization, 94% were women, and the vast majority, 93%, were from India, while 4% were from China."
Will things change now that Donald Trump is POTUS?
Donald Trump in his campaign for the President had made it quite clear that he would come up with stricter migration policies in his bid to 'Make America Great Again'. It is reported that he plans to change this policy of the Obama administration in June this year, and may propose a new regulation.
