[4] A noncitizen with H-4 immigration status normally is not permitted to engage in employment in the United States but there is one important exception to this rule.
Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director León Rodríguez announced that, effective May 26, 2015, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) would extend eligibility for employment authorization to certain H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B non-immigrants who are seeking employment-based lawful permanent resident (LPR) status.
On the Spring 2019 Regulatory Agenda, the Trump administration announced a proposed regulation to rescind the 2015 rule and to stop granting employment authorization to H-4 spouses.
[9] Some media outlets reported that the majority of people who would lose work authorization as a result of the proposal were highly skilled Indian women.
[10] USCIS data backs up the assertion that the vast majority of H-4 EAD beneficiaries are Indian women.