H4 EAD on proposed rule! Hopefully the nightmare will end for some

[shah]

Please like the page http://facebook.com/h4thecurse

This is an amazing turn of events. Something that many of us have been fighting for – H4 EAD. Those who have their permanent residence process started that is under the Form I-140 or the labor certification started and completed the six years and request an H1B extension, will be able to seek employment authorization for their H4 dependents. The law falls a little short of giving all the H4 visas a work permit (EAD) but will allow some of those who have a ”stay” in the U.S. under section 104(c) or 106(a) of Public Law 106-313, also known as the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21), to obtain an EAD. This means those who are allowed to extend their H1B beyond six years after the waiting time will see their dependents benefit from a work permit.
Read More
http://immigrationlegalblog.com/2012/12/the-dream-of-the-h4-work-permit-ead-might-finally-come-true/


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[himaja]

I live in Arkansas and we moved with our family to US 3 years back and my husband is a Software professional.

Its been a struggle for almost 3 years.. I am a qualified HR professional and have been succussfully employed in India.

I still had a lot of hopes when I came to US ..But then every interview that I attended , the only comment that I heard from all these prospective employers, were Your profile is extremely impressive but unfortunately we cannot sponsor at this time :-(

I know what I lost in turn was a confidence that I had on me!! and Its a basic right to work and its denied!

My husband's GC process has just begun and I knew it would atleast be another 5-6-7.-8..!wonder how many more years..!

This news is such a ray of hope for so many people like me.. who aspire to work and ..I know I have to wait just another 3 more years..But then this rule will keep me going .. and

Its such a boon for so may people who have lived in this country for so many years..!
Its a step forward in the immigration reform and I just wish this gets implemented as soon as possible!

Regards
Himaja

[shah]

Yes, indeed Himaja our work is not finished. I promised all the H4 that we will fight for their rights with all our might. Please have as many friends and family sign this http://www.change.org/petitions/give...4-visa-holders

[danello]

I am happy for them but i wish it was for every H4. My wife been on H4 for 4.5 yrs now

[Juergen]

Good Morning shah,

this was the best news for me and my family since years. My wife got a H-1B Visa in Augsut 2007 and myself that damm H-4. I have spent years trying to find a sponsor for a job in the US but even with my background knowledge and education no one is willing to do so.
So last year i got fed up and left the US to find a job back in my home country Germany and ended up working in Switzerland and noew in Colombia as Electrical Supervisor. I haven't been home 16 months but now I hope I can come home again and stay there and pray that the dream comes true to work in the US legally. we will have 6 six years in the US in Summer 2013 and my wif would be more then happy to get an EAD for me.
Keep up your good work

[EAD-for-H4]

I am in the same boat as you himaja.
The only difference is that I had been on H-1 before and took a small break to care for my son who was quite young at the time.
I followed the legal path and changed my status to H-4. Now, when I want to go back to work, I don't get sponsors for H-1 (even when I have good experience and have a Master's
degree form a reputed University in US), and even when somebody is willing to sponsor, they do not want to do H4-to-H1 because of the uncertainity in the time the USCIS would process
the application. The employers prefer H1-to-H1 because of the AC21 portability, which means you can join your new employer as soon as you file the application for transfer. This doesn't work for
H4 cases.

[libtau]

Although this is a step in the right direction, I still feel we need to get authorization for H4 visas if L2 holders can work. It is completely discriminatory for a qualified person to not find work if their spouse has work authorization just because they married an H1-B visa holder. I don't mind if an H4 visa holder can only work for the term remaining on their spouse's H1-B visa, but at least they can actively seek employment.

My wife is planning to start her MBA and I am in two minds of how well it would help for her to go to an AACSB-accredited university if she doesn't have an equal chance of finding employment as someone who went there just because of her H4 visa. It is unfortunate that the U.S. government would rather let the economy have good positions remain vacant for the sake of bureaucracy.

[Nilanjana]

I am here in us for more than 7 yrs. As a H4 visa holder I understand the pain. it's really shameful to say that even living in a country like US I always feel like I am the most unfortunate person!!!

[shah]

Although this is a step in the right direction, I still feel we need to get authorization for H4 visas if L2 holders can work. It is completely discriminatory for a qualified person to not find work if their spouse has work authorization just because they married an H1-B visa holder. I don't mind if an H4 visa holder can only work for the term remaining on their spouse's H1-B visa, but at least they can actively seek employment.

My wife is planning to start her MBA and I am in two minds of how well it would help for her to go to an AACSB-accredited university if she doesn't have an equal chance of finding employment as someone who went there just because of her H4 visa. It is unfortunate that the U.S. government would rather let the economy have good positions remain vacant for the sake of bureaucracy.

I agree with you. But we need to move one step at at time. Read my letter to President Obama. They are making a move. But we need to have this first part go through first. Thank you for commenting. Keep helping...

[Hope]

Hi Shah,
Thanks for bringing the plight of thousands of h4's to light....It really is very unfortunate not to work in the US ...coz the work culture here from what I hear is wonderful...I ,a very independent,courageous,employed ,confident girl,came to US with a dream of working that never came true till date coz there were no sponsors...I was a bit naive when i first left my job in India and came here along with my husband...thought of taking a short break and relax for some time...but dint know the complications of Visas and Status here....You really become very dependent on husbands...you loose ur dignity,self confidence and much more...with a great difficulty i got my license here..wanted to go back to India lot of times but dint want to hurt my husband's future and dreams..But now after hearing such a great news ,i really want to stay here....make up for the lost time....regains what all ive lost ....

Lets keep our finger's crossed....and Hope that Obama can really bring about a CHANGE in our lives too coz we deserve IT!!!!

[shah]

Hi Shah,
Thanks for bringing the plight of thousands of h4's to light....It really is very unfortunate not to work in the US ...coz the work culture here from what I hear is wonderful...I ,a very independent,courageous,employed ,confident girl,came to US with a dream of working that never came true till date coz there were no sponsors...I was a bit naive when i first left my job in India and came here along with my husband...thought of taking a short break and relax for some time...but dint know the complications of Visas and Status here....You really become very dependent on husbands...you loose ur dignity,self confidence and much more...with a great difficulty i got my license here..wanted to go back to India lot of times but dint want to hurt my husband's future and dreams..But now after hearing such a great news ,i really want to stay here....make up for the lost time....regains what all ive lost ....

Lets keep our finger's crossed....and Hope that Obama can really bring about a CHANGE in our lives too coz we deserve IT!!!!

Thank you for the kind words. We need to keep up the pressure. Next month i am planning to send another letter to the Obama Administration on the matter.

[ananya]

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking up this cause. Im a CA from India and have even completd my CPA exams here in USA. But have not been able to find a sponsor for the past 5 years. As a last reort, I was thinking of goiung back to a graduation degree here in US just so to use my time productively. Now I am really hoping this moves fast enough and comes to a good conclusion. Its frustrating when you receive calls from employers based on your skills and then hv to step back due to the work permit.

Thank you once again to everyone who've supported this cause.

[nagi1973]

Shah ,

I really appreciate your effort in brining the legal immigrants issues to the administration. Its really discouraging to see talented people are suffering because of GC backlog. Most of the lawmakers also lack of understanding of how immigrants bring the skill gap in the work force. Many people think that skilled immigrants take the benefits after coming to US. What they don't know the amount of money H1B works contribute in Social security every month , and most of the H1B return back to home land with out taking any social security benefits. They don't know that SS is for only for GC holders or citizens.

Pls also consider the fact that after completing 6 yrs and with I 140 , USCIS should find a way to give EAD. This will only benefit the economy as most of the ppl will end up buying new homes/cars.

I also wanted to bring to your notice that , my kids are American as they are born here and I wanted to start a college fund , but the financial institutes have turned down my request as I don't have GC. This totally unfair by all means. I have asked for a written letter for turning down my application and I have not received anything from them till now.

[shah]

This is so sad an unfortunate. Many have "over-sold" America with lots of promises. Please help us make the change and hang in there. We shall see the light soon. Kindly pass this forum to all your friends and other forums.

[FightForEquality]

This will be a life changing moment for H4 (and H1B candidates as well) if this bill passes. Many reasons for providing EAD or work permit to H4 candidates.
1) H1 candidates are high skill labors and mostly like their spouses are also highly educated so it will be win-win situation for U.S. if they provide EAD to H4 candidates.

2) H4 candidate does not get SSN so they face some time unfortunate secondary treatment at DMV in some of the States, they are looked at as sometime illegal immigrants.

3) L2 candidate get EAD but H4 do not - this is absolutely unfair. Spouse of H1 is treated as dependent but spouse of L1 is not treated that way, why??

4) This law will encourage H1B candidates to stay on H1B status and not to seem for Green card because some of the H1 candidates do not want to live longer in U.S. and eventually they want to return to back their home country. So U.S Govt do not need to worry about as potential immigrants.

In past years, many L1 candidates came in US and their spouse, L2 cadidate got a job pretty soon but spouse of H1 who living here longer time are still struggling because whenever company hear they need VISA sponsorship, they application is treated secondary. I am not jealous of L2 candidates but I feel this is injustice to H4 candidates.

I have done Masters in US and my wife is doctor from India. I wanted to advantage of 6 years of H1 but my spouse is struggling to get admission in M.D. Residency because she require VISA sponsorship. I thinking to go back home country because I don't want my spouse's medical degree go waste and sit at home as dependent just because she doesn't have EAD or Green card.

I respect U.S because new bills are put on table quickly when people make noise about it so I am hoping that this bill will be back on table in Senate soon fo debate and I pray this bill gets approved as soon as possible. God Bless America! Jay Ho!

Thank you, Mr. Shah for bringing this issue in light again.