Department of Homeland Security discontinues automatic extensions of EADs

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented an Interim Final Rule (IFR) that ends the automatic extension of employment authorization documents (EADs) for renewal applications filed on or after Oct. 30.

Previously, automatic extensions were available for up to 540 days.

The American Association of Meat Processors (AAMP) posted about this change on Facebook, explaining that those who may be affected by the IFR are applicants for political asylum or those who have come to the United States for humanitarian reasons.

To adjust to the changes, US Citizenship and Immigration Services recommends that impacted foreign workers file a renewal application up to 180 days before their EAD expires. They must wait for approval before their employment authorization continues.

“If any EAD holders are working at your business, they must stop working once their authorization expires,” AAMP said in its post.

Klasko Immigration Law Partners also recommends that employers take several steps to safeguard their operations.

“Employers should prepare for operational and personnel impacts immediately,” wrote Carolina Regales, a Klasko attorney, in a company blog post.

Recommended actions include: