According to one proposal for new immigration rules, the spouses of H-1B visa holders could be given work permits, even while their green card applications are pending. Potential new rules such as these could have an effect on an estimated 97,000 within the course of a year, say officials who support the measure, while opponents say that these changes could adversely affect an already tough American job market. Keep reading to learn more about this potential regulation.

The way that immigration law works right now, the spouses of skilled workers with an H-1B visa cannot hold jobs within the U.S. They can only wait to see what happens with their application for permanent residency (their green card application). Officials are seeking to keep workers such as engineers and scientists with the United States however, and thus these new provisions are being put forward. After all, said Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker, "These individuals are American families in the waiting."

Pritzker also spoke of how immigrants account for an incredible range of successful businesses in the United States. For instance, the former CEO of Intel Corp hails from Hungary, and a co-founder of Yahoo emigrated from Taiwan, while a co-founder of Google was Soviet-born. According to Pritzker, an estimated 28 percent of newly created businesses in the U.S. are formed by immigrants. A whopping 40 percent of Fortune 500 companies were founded by immigrants to the U.S. or the children of immigrants.

Still, this proposed benefit has yet to be passed, and immigration reform itself hangs in the balance. If you need to navigate the uncertainties of immigration law, it is vital that you understand what your rights are. To learn what options you and your family have, be sure to contact an immigration lawyer today!