Clarification of Need for Employment Authorization Documents for Spouses of E and L Nonimmigrants

The Social Security Administration ("SSA") recently announced that it will issue Social Security Numbers ("SSNs") to the spouses of individuals in E and L nonimmigrant status regardless of whether the dependent spouse has obtained an employment authorization document ("EAD") from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS"). The SSA indicates that it implemented this change in policy based on a USCIS memorandum that has not yet been made available to the public.