The move is expected to directly benefit hundreds of thousands of eligible workers across the United States.
Washington DC: In a major step, the United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently increased the automatic extension period for Employment Authorisation Documents (EAD) renewals from 180 days to 540 days.
“The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced a final rule that will support US employers, foster economic growth, and improve access to employment authorization documents (EAD) for eligible individuals by permanently increasing the automatic extension period of employment authorization and employment authorization documentation from up to 180 days to up to 540 days for eligible non-citizens who file a timely request to renew their work authorization. This announcement responds to feedback from the business community to create more certainty for employers,” the US Department of Homeland Security said in a press release.
The move is expected to directly benefit hundreds of thousands of eligible workers across the United States.
Notably, the decision by the US Department followed recommendations by Ajay Bhutoria, the Commissioner of the White House Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) Commissioner, according to an official release.
Ajay Bhutoria, an Indian-American businessman and politician, serves as the Deputy National Finance Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC).
The new rule, which will be effective January 13, 2025, comes as a result of Bhutoria’s tireless advocacy for more equitable immigration policies and was one of several key recommendations he presented to the White House Commission.
As a prominent voice for the AANHPI community, Bhutoria’s recommendations aim to ensure greater stability for immigrant workers, many of whom face significant delays in the processing of their EAD renewals.
“This is a huge win for the immigrant community, especially for millions of individuals from India, who have long been waiting for a streamlined process for work authorization,” Bhutoria said in a statement on X.
“I’m glad to see one of my approved recommendations being implemented by DHS. The automatic extension for EADs is now up to 540 days, providing much-needed relief for workers who rely on timely renewals to support their families. Now, let’s continue to work toward expanding EAD issuance for those with an approved I-140 and those stuck in the 5+ year backlog, he added.
https://x.com/ajainb/status/1866591192387031292
The new DHS rule, which was shaped by feedback from the business community and aimed at reducing red tape for US employers, will help create more certainty in the workforce, particularly in industries reliant on immigrant labour. The extended automatic extension period will help prevent gaps in employment authorization, ensuring that eligible workers can continue contributing to the US economy without fear of disruption.
According to DHS Secretary Alejandro N Mayorkas, the move reflects the administration’s ongoing commitment to fostering economic growth and supporting employers by addressing labour shortages.