Dec 10 (Reuters) – The Biden administration announced a new rule on Tuesday that will allow immigrants whose work permits have expired to continue working for up to 18 months while they wait for their renewals. This change makes a temporary policy, introduced two years ago, permanent.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security, explained that the rule was necessary due to significant delays in processing work authorization renewal applications.
Under the new rule, immigrants who are renewing their work permits and typically qualify for a 180-day extension will instead receive a 540-day extension while their applications are pending. The rule applies to a range of immigrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, those with Temporary Protected Status, and spouses of work visa holders, who rely on Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to work legally in the U.S.
Without this rule, along with two previous temporary extensions, as many as 468,000 immigrants could have lost their ability to work while waiting for their renewal, USCIS said.
Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas stated that the rule would help reduce bureaucratic delays, allowing workers to continue contributing to the economy and supporting employers. He emphasized that the change would also strengthen the U.S. economy.
The rule, which faced minimal opposition when proposed, could be reversed by the incoming administration of Republican President-elect Donald Trump or blocked by Congress when it shifts to Republican control next month. During his first term, Trump took steps to limit work authorization for some immigrants.
USCIS had previously implemented this extension on a temporary basis in 2022 and renewed it earlier this year. However, the agency confirmed that a permanent solution was necessary as there were no signs that the processing backlogs would be cleared soon.
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