The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalised a rule ending automatic extensions of work authorisation for certain immigrants whose renewal applications are pending, a move that could affect Indian professionals and their families living and working in the country. The measure makes permanent an interim final rule introduced last year that removed the automatic extension of employment authorisation documents (EADs) for up to 540 days. The extension was introduced under the Joe Biden administration to help foreign workers continue working while the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processed their renewal applications.
According to a recent report, the US government said the change would allow authorities to conduct more frequent checks on applicants. The policy affects several categories of foreign nationals, including asylum seekers and spouses of H-1B visa holders who are eligible to work in the US.
