H.R. 7442 – H–4 Work Authorization Act

AI-Generated Summary

Updated February 8, 2026 at 10:45 AM UTC

The H‑4 Work Authorization Act amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to require the Secretary of Homeland Security to grant work permits to certain alien spouses who are admitted under the H‑4 category to accompany a principal alien. It allows these spouses to work in the United States without needing a separate petition. The change mainly affects H‑4 visa holders and their families.

Key Provisions

Adds a new subsection (3) to INA §214(e) stating that an alien spouse admitted under H‑4 (section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b)) shall be authorized to work incident to status and receive an employment‑authorized endorsement or comparable work permit.

Legislative Activity

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2 earlier actions

HouseCommittee Latest Action

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

April 7, 2022

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

Judiciary Committee

April 7, 2022

HouseCommittee

Referred to the Subcommittee on Immigration and Citizenship.

Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee

November 1, 2022

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued April 7, 2022

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7442

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April 7, 2022

Ms. Bourdeaux (for herself and Ms. Salazar) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on the Judiciary

A BILL

To amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to direct the Secretary of Homeland Security to provide employment authorization to certain alien spouses, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the H–4 Work Authorization Act.

2.

Employment authorization for certain alien spouses

Section 214(e) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1184(e)) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(3)

In the case of an alien spouse admitted under section 101(a)(15)(H)(i)(b), who is accompanying or following to join a principal alien admitted under such section, the Secretary of Homeland Security shall authorize the alien spouse to engage in employment in the United States incident to status and provide the spouse with an employment authorized endorsement or other appropriate work permit.

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