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USCIS policy changes have significantly altered how many immigrants renew work authorization. (Photo courtesy of USCIS)
A federal policy overhaul alters how employment authorization is renewed, leaving many immigrant workers vulnerable to lapses in work eligibility and income stability.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has ended automatic extensions of most Employment Authorization Documents, a shift that is already reshaping how immigrant workers maintain employment in the United States.
The policy marks one of the most significant changes to work-permit renewal procedures in years, with far-reaching implications for Filipino and other immigrant communities. The change stems from an interim final rule that removed the safeguard that once allowed many workers to remain employed while waiting for their renewed EADs. Under the rule, most applicants no longer receive any automatic extension simply for filing a timely renewal.
With the previous cushion eliminated, work authorization generally expires on the date printed on the card unless the individual has another independent basis to work in the country. Employment may resume only after USCIS approves a renewal and the new card becomes valid.
A new framework now governing renewals
Under the policy now in effect, renewal applications filed on or after the October implementation date are no longer eligible for any automatic extension, including the former 540-day buffer created during severe USCIS backlogs. Once an EAD expires, employment authorization ends unless another status provides work eligibility. Workers may return to their jobs only after a renewed card is issued.
The rule is not retroactive. Applicants who filed their renewals before October 30 retain the automatic extensions granted under prior regulations. USCIS has since updated its Form I-9 guidance, prompting employers to reassess verification practices and track expiration timelines more closely. A limited group of individuals, including specific Temporary Protected Status beneficiaries, continue to receive extensions through separate statutory mechanisms.
Communities and sectors most affected
The end of automatic extensions affects major immigrant categories that depend on timely EAD renewals. Adjustment of status applicants, H-4 dependent spouses, certain E and L dependent spouses, and many asylum applicants are among those most vulnerable to lapses in employment. Students on F-1 OPT and STEM OPT are not affected because their work authorization follows separate rules.
For Filipino Americans, the impact is especially visible in sectors that rely heavily on EAD holders. Hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health services, hospitality businesses, logistics operations and educational institutions employ substantial numbers of Filipino workers whose continued employment depends on timely renewals.
DHS rationale and policy reversal
In explaining the rule, the Department of Homeland Security said the change strengthens vetting and eligibility screening by requiring more regular review at each renewal. DHS noted that broad automatic extensions adopted during heavy backlogs limited opportunities for timely evaluation. The new approach reverses a 2024 regulation that made the 540-day extension permanent during a period of significant processing delays. The department now prioritizes individualized assessment, even if it increases the likelihood of temporary job loss.
Concerns from advocates and employers
Immigrant advocates warn that the policy may result in abrupt employment interruptions even when workers file renewals months ahead. The American Immigration Council has noted that affected employees may face income instability, career setbacks and disruptions in caregiving responsibilities.
Employers, particularly in health care and logistics, express concern that staffing challenges may intensify as workers lose authorization while waiting for decisions. H-4 dependent spouses, many of them women in specialized professions, are expected to face some of the most significant difficulties because their ability to continue working depends entirely on timely EAD processing.
A shifting landscape for immigrant families
With automatic extensions no longer available for most new filings, immigrant workers, including many Filipino nurses, caregivers and professionals, must now navigate tighter renewal timelines to maintain continuous employment. The stability previously offered by automatic extensions has been replaced by stricter procedural deadlines and greater reliance on USCIS processing speeds.
Editor’s Note: This report provides general information and should not be taken as legal advice. Individuals facing work-authorization issues are strongly encouraged to consult a qualified immigration attorney.