1615-AB92 201110 The Regulatory Plan and the Unified Agenda of Federal Regulatory and Deregulatory Actions 1615 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS 1600 Department of Homeland Security DHS Allowing Certain H-4 Dependent Spouses to Apply for Employment Authorization The Department of Homeland Security proposes to amend its regulations by extending the availability of employment authorization to H-4 dependent spouses of principal H-1B nonimmigrants who have begun the process of seeking lawful permanent resident status through employment and have extended their authorized period of admission or "stay" in the U.S. under section 104(c) or 106(a) of Public Law 106-313, also known as the American Competitiveness in the Twenty-First Century Act of 2000 (AC21). Allowing the eligible class of H-4 dependent spouses to work encourages professionals with high demand skills to remain in the country and help spur the innovation and growth of U.S. companies. Other Significant Previously Published in The Unified Agenda Proposed Rule Stage No No 8 CFR 274a.12(c) INA sec 214(a)(1) 8 USC 1184(a)(1) INA 274A(h)(3) 8 USC 1324a(h)(3) 8 CFR 274a.12(c) sec 104(c) of PL 106-313 sec 106(a) of PL 106-313 ... No NPRM 01/00/2012 No No None No No No 1615-ZB03 Related to Kevin Bazaire 1615 U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services USCIS 202 272-8107 kevin.bazaire@dhs.gov 20 Massachusetts Avenue NW., Washington DC 20529