US Cuts Work-Permit Validity: What Green Card Applicants Need to Know

There is a disturbing wave of concern that has arisen from this shift in U. S. immigration policy, particularly among thousands of potential future immigrants left behind in a long queue for green cards. The U. S. Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) suddenly changed the 5-year EAD back to the 18-month EAD. The same holds for new applications and every current application.

The change is going to affect refugees, asylum seekers, candidates with pending asylum cases, and people waiting for AOS or green-card approval through the Adjustment of Status. Chiefly, this is significant to the Indian diaspora, with so many immigrants in those categories.

The Idea Behind the Change

USCIS says that fewer weeks for an EAD means better assurance for the Department of Homeland Security. While this puts more teeth in the DHS procedures, it considers a speedier check-up from time to time on anyone who is already confronted by already uncontrollably long waits.

What It Means for Applicants

Multiple Renewals:

The work permit will have to be renewed every 18 months instead of every five years. This complicates matters and makes things less certain.

Potential breaks in employment:

Any delay in renewing the EAD could mean that a qualified employee is taken out of the workforce temporarily due to adequate funding and professional stability.

Heightened anxiety for the waiters of long:

Those stuck in the pipeline of a multi-year backlog for green cards, especially the Indian professionals, would face more pressure for renewals.

What to Do Today?

To ensure that these policy changes do not harm you:

Take all required steps for the renewal of your work permit.
Start keeping track of all renewal dates so that you do not pass the one-year limit and encounter trouble with the employer for work authorization.
Seek advice from an immigration lawyer to understand exactly how the rule will affect you.

Keep in touch with your employer in order to avoid possible scrambles over your job at the last moment.

The End Note

Our experts at Abhinav Immigration Services are keeping an eagle eye on these policy shifts. We are determined to first facilitate renewals or documentation, and, henceforth, the broader impact impacting your green-card journey.

For assistance on how to renew EADs or to understand one’s immigration road map, one is most welcome to have our support team in their midst.