H-4 Spouses Keep Right To Work After SC Passes On Case

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India-West News Desk

WASHINGTON, DC – The U.S. Supreme Court on October 14 refused to hear a case challenging a rule that allows spouses of H-1B visa holders to work in the United States. The rule, created under former President Barack Obama in 2015, lets certain H-4 visa holders — mostly spouses of highly skilled foreign workers — apply for work permits.

The case was brought by Save Jobs USA, a group representing American tech workers. They argued that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) overstepped its authority, saying the law allows H-4 visa holders to live in the U.S. but not to work. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit had earlier ruled that DHS acted within its powers, and the Supreme Court’s decision not to take up the case leaves that ruling in place.

The justices did not explain why they declined to review the case.

Immigration advocate and community leader Ajay Bhutoria called the court’s decision a “historic victory for the South Asian community.” He said it protects the rights of H-4 visa holders—most of them South Asian women—to pursue careers and contribute to the U.S. economy. “This decision reflects the resilience and hard work of our community,” Bhutoria said.