A new rule from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security will end the automatic extension of employment authorizations for immigrants filing renewal applications.
Instead, the new interim final rule would prioritize screening and vetting of immigrants before extending the validity of their employment authorizations in certain employment authorization categories. Immigrants who file to renew their Employment Authorization documents (EAD) on or after Oct. 20, 2025, will no longer receive the automatic extension, the DHS said, including extensions provided by law or through a Federal Register notice for TPS-related employment documentation. The department said ending the automatic extensions would lead to more frequent vetting of immigrants who apply to work in the United States.
The decision would also allow U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to address fraud, and to find immigrants who may potentially harbor harmful intent so they can process them for removal from the country.
“USCIS is placing a renewed emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting, eliminating policies the former administration implemented that prioritized aliens’ convenience ahead of Americans’ safety and security,” USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said. “It’s a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorization or documentation is extended. All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”
USCIS recommends immigrants seeking a timely renewal of their EAD file their renewal application up to 180 days before the EAD expires.