Washington: A legislation seeking to prohibit the Donald Trump administration from revoking the work authorisation of spouses of H1-B visa holders, including Indians, was introduced in the US Congress by two lawmakers, who said that eliminating the benefit would force many foreign workers to use their talents to compete against American businesses.

H-4 visas are issued to the spouses of H-1B foreign workers. The H-1B visa is a non-immigrant visa used by Indians workers employed in US companies. It allows US companies to employ foreign workers in speciality occupations that require theoretical or technical expertise. It is the most sought-after visa among Indian IT professionals. H-4 visas are issued only to very close or immediate family members of H-1B visa holders.

Also read: H-1B: Trump’s latest visa proposal and its impact on India

The move by lawmakers Anna G Eshoo and Zoe Lofgren to introduce the H-4 Employment Protection Act comes amid determination by the Trump administration to revoke an Obama-era rule that extends work authorisation to spouses of H-1B visa holders.

Since the rule was implemented, over 100,000 workers, mainly women, that too from India, received employment authorisation, improving the US’ competitiveness and lessening the economic burden on thousands of H-1B workers and their families, the two lawmakers said after introducing the bill in the House.

The H-4 Employment Protection Act prohibits the Trump administration from revoking this important rule, which it is expected to do by the end of the year, they said.

“Protecting work authorisation for these H-4 visa holders is a matter of both economic fairness and family unity," Eshoo said. “Eliminating this benefit would create a painful choice for many immigrants to either split their families or return to their home countries and use their talents to compete against American businesses."

“These are American citizens-in-waiting, stuck in line for their number to come up," Congressman Lofgren said. “Prohibiting H-1B dependent spouses from working is of no benefit to our country, and if allowed to move forward, many of these families that can contribute so much to our workforce will simply move to countries with a more sensible approach to immigration. This bill will block the Trump administration from needlessly harming our economy and lives of skilled immigrant families," Lofgren said.

This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.

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