Bill Overview
Title: H–4 Work Authorization Act
Description: This bill provides automatic employment authorization to a non-U.S. national ( alien under federal law) admitted into the United States as a spouse of an H-1B visa holder (a nonimmigrant worker who is in a special occupation or a fashion model). Currently, a spouse of an H-1B visa holder must apply separately to receive employment authorization.
Sponsors: Rep. Bourdeaux, Carolyn [D-GA-7]
Target Audience
Population: Spouses of H-1B visa holders in the United States under H-4 visa
Estimated Size: 0
- The bill is specifically targeted at spouses of H-1B visa holders who are currently in the U.S. under H-4 status.
- H-4 visa holders are largely spouses of H-1B workers, who come from various countries to the U.S. and are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.
- In 2020, there were around 100,000 H-4 visa holders in the U.S., primarily spouses and some children.
- This bill does not impact individuals who are not on the H-4 visa or are not spouses of H-1B holders.
Reasoning
- The budget of the policy limits immediate large-scale implementations, focusing on a rollout plan that may start with simplified procedures and outreach.
- The population targeted is non-U.S. citizens, specifically spouses of skilled foreign workers in the U.S. under H-1B status.
- While the direct impact of the policy on Americans is indirect, it could potentially affect local labor dynamics and household incomes where these families reside.
- The wellbeing scores prior to the policy can reflect struggles related to employment barriers which the policy aims to fix.
- The commonness of simulated respondents is reflective of diverse representation: not all individuals on H-4 will be equally impacted; circumstances such as local job markets and personal career aspirations play a role.
Simulated Interviews
IT Project Manager (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 34 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This policy would allow me to apply for jobs without the long wait for employment authorization.
- Being able to work will help me contribute to our household income and pursue my career goals.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Civil Engineer (Austin, TX)
Age: 29 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Currently I can't work even though I have experience and qualifications.
- This is a step towards equality for us as a family.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Home Maker (unwillingly) (Seattle, WA)
Age: 42 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've been waiting to work for years, this would be a great opportunity.
- Working would improve our family's economic stability and my personal development.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Data Analyst (New York, NY)
Age: 31 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 13/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Automatically being eligible will remove the delays and hassle of getting my EAD.
- I'll be able to re-enter the workforce and stay in line with my career path.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Architect (Chicago, IL)
Age: 38 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The opportunity to work would greatly benefit my professional growth.
- I'm excited at the possibility to use my skills without waiting.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Content Writer (Boston, MA)
Age: 35 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- This act will allow me to regain financial independence.
- Currently, I am unable to contribute equally to our family's needs, which is frustrating.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Graphic Designer (Houston, TX)
Age: 27 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 20.0 years
Commonness: 3/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I look forward to having the legal ability to start my freelance career here.
- This policy is a huge relief for people like me who have been held back by paperwork.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 7 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Stay-at-home parent (current) (San Jose, CA)
Age: 39 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I've had to pause my career to support our family without work authorization.
- This will help me return to my writing and improve our financial outlook.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Volunteer Worker (Raleigh, NC)
Age: 45 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I would finally be able to work legally and financially assist my family.
- It's hard living on one income, this policy gives us hope.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Software Engineer (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 28 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 7
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- As a dual career couple, this would immensely benefit our future plans.
- Applying for a job without hurdles is something I look forward to.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 2 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 8 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 7 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $5000000 (Low: $3000000, High: $7000000)
Year 2: $4000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $6000000)
Year 3: $4000000 (Low: $2000000, High: $6000000)
Year 5: $3000000 (Low: $1000000, High: $5000000)
Year 10: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $4000000)
Year 100: $2000000 (Low: $500000, High: $4000000)
Key Considerations
- Administrative efficiency gains versus costs for USCIS and other federal offices handling visas.
- Potential labor market impacts, with certain sectors seeing more applicants due to newly eligible workers.
- The pace at which H-4 spouses enter the job market is uncertain and may vary widely.