Department of Homeland Security Announces New Employment Authorization Eligibility for Certain H-4 Spouses of H-1B Professional Workers

On February 25, 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that effective May 26, 2015, the agency will extend eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B non-immigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident status.  Eligible individuals include certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B non immigrants who: 1) are the principal beneficiaries of an approved Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker; or 2) have been granted H-1B status under sections 106(a) and (b) of the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 as amended by the Twenty-First Century Department of Justice Appropriations Authorizations Act.  This new rule is one of several immigration executive actions announced by President Obama in November 2014.