at the ltlnitcn States
Washington, ?01 20515

March 5, 2018

The Honorable Kirstjen M. Nielsen, Secretary
US. Department of Homeland Security

245 Murray Lane, S.W.

Washington, DC. 20528

Dear Secretary Nielsen,

We write to request that you reconsider the Department of Homeland Security?s proposal to
revoke eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of 
workers under 1615-AC15, Removing Dependent Spouses ?om the Class of Aliens Eligibte
for Employment Authorization. Revoking this eligibility, which was granted under the rule?
in 2015, will create signi?cant uncertainty and ?nancial hardship for many highly skilled
professionals who are vital to our economy, and we believe it is critical that this program is kept
in place.

As Representatives of California, we?re proud of our state?s leadership in innovation and
success, not only in the various industries that fuel our economy but also in institutions of higher
learning. Over 10 million Californians are foreign born, and without them we would not have
companies such as Google, Apple, Facebook, and Qualcomm which have made California?s
economy the 6th largest in the world. Over 880,000 immigrants own businesses in California, and
together those immigrant-owned businesses have contributed over $21 billion to our state?s
economy and created more jobs than such businesses in any other state. However, until 2015, the
spouses of many highly skilled H-1B visa holders were left out, unable to contribute ?nancially
to their family or pursue their own professional goals because they did not have permission to
work.

It can take decades for these immigrants and their families to receive green cards and the
Department of Homeland Security extended eligibility for employment authorization to certain
H-4 dependent spouses because it recognized the economic hardship facing the families of many
H1 -B workers who needed dual incomes to survive in hi gh-cost areas. In many areas where these
high-tech professionals live, such as Silicon Valley, it is nearly impossible for a family to live on
one income.

Since the H4 rule was implemented three years ago for spouses of highly skilled immigrants,
over 100,000 workers, mainly women, were ?nally granted permission to work and contribute to
their households and our economy. The H-4 rule lessened the burden on thousands of 
recipients and their families while they transition from non-immigrants to lawful permanent
residents by allowing their families to earn dual incomes. Many entrepreneurs used their EADs
to start businesses that now employ US. citizens. Eliminating this bene?t removes an important
incentive for highly skilled immigrants to remain here to invest in and grow our economy to the
bene?t of all Americans.

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The rule is a matter of both economic competitiveness and maintaining family unity. The
United States has already invested in these workers with years of expertise and we should not be
sending them abroad to innovate and use their experience and talents against US. businesses.
We ask that you reconsider the revocation of the H-4 rule and thank you in advance for your
attention to our request.

We look forward to your timely response.

.T 

Most grate?illy,

  

 

 

 

 

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