USCIS Streamlines Adjudication of Nonimmigrant Dependent Spouses to Secure Work Authorization

On January 19, 2023, the US Department of Homeland Security reached a settlement in Edakunni v. Mayorkas. The settlement brings in policy changes to the way in which US Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) adjudicates extension of status, change of status, and employment authorization applications filed by spouses and children of L-1 and H-1B non-immigrant visa holders, along with the petition filed on behalf of the principal applicant so long as they are concurrently and properly filed.