Washington – The Department of Homeland Security could publish its plan to ban on H-4 visas used by spouses of highly skilled workers as early as today. The White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs is currently reviewing the rule, and has until June 20 to do so. DHS announced last week it expected to be able to take the next step of publishing this proposal by the end of this month.
Meanwhile two Silicon Valley Congresswomen, Reps Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo, reintroduced their “H-4 Employment Protection Act” this week saying it will help protect the digital economy and the families of tech workers.
The Computer & Communications Industry Association has advocated for a more competitive approach to immigration and more visas for highly skilled workers such as H-1Bs. The following can be attributed to President & CEO Ed Black:
“Allowing visas for spouses of highly skilled workers gives US companies the ability to better compete for global talent. At a time when other countries are trying to compete with our culture of innovation it doesn’t make sense to dismantle the policies that attract highly skilled workers. We commend Congresswomen Lofgren and Eshoo for their bill to keep highly skilled workers and the country’s position as a global high tech leader, and encourage the House to pass it.”