Results of the presidential election and the immigration sector

The US’ presidential election took place in early November 2020, in the midst of a global pandemic. Aside from the health crisis, the two strongest candidates have almost diametrically opposite views when it comes to the immigration sector.

On the one hand, current President Donald Trump, who belongs to the Republican political party, always refers to immigration with a negative connotation, stating that it must be reduced to protect American workers, safeguard essential resources and prevent it from becoming a burden on the economy. On the other hand, former Vice President Joe Biden, who belongs to the Democratic political party, states that immigration is a strength for the US and that foreign workforce is essential for the development of local businesses and the economy’s growth.

After several days, the results revealed that the American population elected the Democratic nominee as the 46th president of the US.

Since the Trump administration substantially transformed the immigration system, increasing restrictions and requirements for both vulnerable immigrant communities and highly skilled foreign workers, the Biden administration will have to modify current policies and restructure the immigration system in order to meet its goals.

Dozens of activists, immigrant rights advocates, and even members of Congress have tried to contact the Biden administration to create strategies and action plans that, in their opinion, would improve the local immigration system.

Members of Congress sent letter to the President-elect on behalf of H-4 Visa holders

On December 16, 2020, a group of 60 members of the US House of Representatives, led by Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, sent a letter to President-elect Joe Biden, asking to extend Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) of H-4 visa holders.

To understand the issue at hand, it is important to clarify that the spouses of H-1B visa holders (highly qualified foreign workers) can apply for the H-4 visa to come to the US and, if they meet mandatory requirements, they can apply for an EAD to work legally in the country as well.

However, due to substantial delays in immigration processes, waiting times for H-4 holders to renew their EADs are quite long. Therefore, they have struggled to work and support their families during these times of global crisis.

In fact, in one of our most recent articles, we talk about a lawsuit filed by a group of 45 H-4 visa holders due to EAD application delays.

Therefore, congressmen are asking “that the Department of Homeland Security publish a Federal Register notice on day one of your administration (Joe Biden) that would extend the validity period of all expired H4 EADs.”

It is important to clarify that 95% of H-4 visa holders are women. Many of them have lost their jobs in the midst of the health crisis due to USCIS waiting times and have not been able to regain financial stability because their work permits have not been renewed, even though they submitted their applications on time.

Follow experts’ advice for your immigration case

If you have any questions about an immigration issue or relating to a case you may have currently in progress, then please don’t hesitate to contact us for a FREE Phone Consultation with one of our expert immigration attorneys.

Simply call Motion Law today at: (202) 918-1799.