U.S. Appeals Court Upholds Rule Allowing H-1B Spouses to Work

A U.S. appeals court ruled in favor of a federal rule allowing spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States. The decision dismissed a challenge by Save Jobs USA, stating that federal law grants the Department of Homeland Security broad regulatory powers over visa conditions.

A U.S. appeals court on Friday upheld a federal rule that allows spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States. This rule, introduced under former President Barack Obama, was challenged by Save Jobs USA, an organization representing former Southern California Edison employees.

The court stated that federal immigration law gives the Department of Homeland Security broad authority to manage the conditions for foreign professionals seeking H-1B visas. This specific visa is crucial for the tech industry, with major companies like Google, Amazon, and Microsoft supporting the rule.

The court's decision reaffirms a previous ruling from 2022 that also supported regulations permitting foreign students to work after graduation. Despite a recent Supreme Court decision curbing federal agencies' powers, the Appeals Court found that federal law clearly supports the rule allowing H-1B spouses to work.