H-4 Spouse EAD Lawsuit Update: H-4 EAD Program Still on Track

Our office has been receiving a number of inquiries about a lawsuit challenging the H-4 Spouse EAD program as it is about to become effective on May 26th.    We have been monitoring this lawsuit and related developments very closely as our office is helping many H-4 Spouse EAD applicants and as of the time of this article, we believe that the H-4 EAD program will come into effect as planned on May 26th.

The Lawsuit

The lawsuit was filed last week by a group of U.S. high tech workers and seeks to block the H-4 Spouse EAD program.   The main claim in the lawsuit is that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/USCIS do not have the authority to implement this type of a rule.     The lawsuit seeks to invalidate the H-4 Spouse EAD program.    The lawsuit is Save Jobs USA v. DHS, Civil Action No. 1:15-cv-615, United States District for District of Columbia, filed on April 23, 2015.

Immediate Impact of the H-4 EAD Lawsuit

Our attorneys, in consultation with colleagues in the field,  have reviewed and analyzed carefully the complaint and it appears that the arguments put forth in this lawsuit so far may not be sufficient for blocking of the H-4 EAD rule.   For example, the arguments in this lawsuit mirror arguments made in similar prior lawsuits challenging other similar regulations, for example, challenges to the 17-month OPT STEM work permit extension rule.    Obviously, the 17-month OPT STEM extension rule is still valid, years after its implementation.    At this time, there does not appear to be hearing scheduled on this lawsuit.

Rule Expected to Become Effective, as Planned

At this time, we do not believe that there is cause for panic among the significant numbers of H-4 EAD qualified applicants and we believe that the H-4  Spouse EAD rule will continue and will become effective as planned on May 26th.

We will continue to provide information on this rule and the pending lawsuit  as soon as we have anything to share.  Please do not hesitate to contact us if we can review your case, answer any questions or schedule a consultation.   We also invite you to subscribe to our free weekly immigration newsletter to receive timely updates on this and related topics.    We can also provide a quote for the attorney service for filing the H-4 Spouse EAD.