LOS ANGELES:- The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced that it will end the practice of automatically extending employment authorization documents for foreigners who file renewal applications in certain employment authorization categories.
With this rule, DHS has stated that it will prioritize proper screening and vetting of applicants before extending the validity of an employment authorization.
According to the new rules, immigrants who file to renew their EAD on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer receive the automatic extension of their EAD.
There are limited exceptions to this rule, including extensions provided by law or through a Federal Register notice for TPS-related employment documents. Ending the automatic extension of EAD would result in frequent scrutiny of immigrants applying for employment authorization to work in the United States.
According to a statement issued today, reviewing the background of applicants will enable the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prevent fraud and detect immigrants with harmful intentions.
“USCIS is placing a new emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting, reversing policies implemented by previous administrations that prioritized the convenience of aliens over the safety and security of Americans,” said USCIS Director Joseph Adlow. “This is a general measure that ensures that appropriate checks and vetting are completed before extending an alien’s employment authorization or documentation. All aliens should remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”
Under the new rule, USCIS recommends that applicants seek timely renewal of their EAD and properly file the renewal application no later than 180 days before the expiration of their EAD. The longer a immigrant waits to file an EAD renewal application, the more likely it is that there will be a temporary error in their employment authorization or documentation.
But the interim rule issued today will not affect EADs that were automatically extended before October 30, 2025.