Asexpected the Department of Homeland Security has just issueda press release announcing that some H-4 nonimmigrants will be allowed toapply for EAD (Employment Authorization Documents) cards.  H-4 nonimmigrants are spouses of H-1Bworkers.  The EAD cards will allow H-4spouses to work in any occupation.  Thisis a major change that has been consideredfor several years.

Inorder to qualify for the EAD card the principal H-1B worker must have either:
1. Anapproved I-140; or
2. APERM Application (Labor Certification) that has been pending for at least one year.

Thisproposed rule will help many H-4 spouses who are prohibited from working becauseof retrogression.  At a press conference this morning, the DHS indicated that 97,000 H-4 spouses would be immediately eligible for the EAD.  It is an enormous stepin the right direction and DHS and Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas deservespraise for their effort to produce a meaningful, well-thought out rule aimed attreating fairly the people who are playing by the rules. 

UPDATE (MAY 9 2014): It looks like the rule will be published on May 12 and the comment period will end 60 days later.