A new investigative report conducted by the South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI), found that the removal of H-4 work visa in 2020 is going to disproportionately impact immigrant women and families from South Asian countries, specifically India.
The report titled Defying Dependence, released on July 15, highlights the possible economical and emotional impact caused by this removal. According to The American Bazaar, the report incorporated survey data from over 100 South Asian H-4 Visa holders and six in-depth profile of women that have the H-4 employment authorization document from different parts of the United States.
In 2015, the government adopted the H-4 and H-1B visas allowing more immigrants, especially women, to be able to work in the United States. 93 percent of H-4 EADs were granted to South Asians, and of that 93 percent, 93 percent were women. Since then, the H-4 visas have closed a major employment gap for thousands of immigrants, allowing those who are not in the STEM field to find work easier.
On February 20, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) proposed to remove “H-4 dependent spouses from the class of aliens eligible for employment authorization.” This proposal has been under review for months and has not yet announced the decision.
According to the report, revoking the H-4 and H-1B visas would be detrimental to the economy and cause a major crisis for highly qualified professionals with an American university degree. In addition, those who currently hold H-4 and H-1B visas are at risk of not being able to have their applications renewed.
“Our findings reveal that the H-4 EAD rescission is a racial, economic, and gender justice issue,” said Dhara Puvar, Executive Director of SAAPRI in an official statement.
Defying Dependence is calling for protection for H-4 work authorization as well as a solution for Congressional Green Card blockage issue.
“Our hope is that SAAPRI’s data can be used to support advocacy efforts to protect the EAD and drive evidence-based comments to USCIS during the public comment period that will open once the proposed rule change is published to the Federal Register,” said SAAPRI Board member Tejas Shah to News India.
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