Potential Impact of Trump's Second Term on H-1B Visa Holders and Their Families

Donald Trump's immigration policies during his first term created significant challenges for work visa holders in the US. If he secures a second term, the situation for H-1B visa holders and their spouses is expected to worsen.

According to Forbes, the Trump administration may attempt to revoke work authorization for spouses of H-1B visa holders or introduce restrictions that further delay processing times. This new policy could impact those enduring long waits for employment-based green cards, complicating the approval process for many.

In addition to stricter visa conditions, both H-1B visa holders and their spouses could face barriers to entry, making it more difficult to maintain their H-1B status.

The Obama administration introduced the ability for spouses of H-1B holders to work in 2015. This rule allowed spouses to gain employment if the H-1B professional had an approved I-140 form and the spouse had an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).

In 2018, the Trump administration announced its intent to eliminate this rule. If Trump wins the upcoming election, his administration will likely continue efforts to revoke work permissions for H-1B dependent spouses.