US to let some high-skilled immigrant spouses work

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants to allow some spouses of high-skilled immigrants to

work in the United States, the departments of Homeland Security and Commerce announced Tuesday.

 

The rule change, which is set to be published in the Federal Register later this week, would affect spouses

of as many as 100,000 holders of H-1B high-skilled visas.

 

"The proposals announced today will encourage highly skilled, specially trained individuals to remain in the

United States and continue to support U.S. businesses and the growth of the U.S. economy," said

Homeland Security Deputy Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

 

Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker said the rule change would help the U.S. attract and keep "world-class

talent" working in the United States.

 

The new rule is the latest in a series of administrative actions President Barack Obama has announced as

efforts to win broad immigration reform in Congress have failed.