Many immigrants with employment authorization documents (EADs) must renew their cards every year or two. Because the Department of Homeland Security is inconsistent in adjudicating EAD renewals, some immigrants’ EADs expire while they desperately wait for their renewal applications to be approved.
In an attempt to cure this problem, the Department of Homeland Security will soon begin automatically extending the validity of certain EADs when the immigrant files a renewal application. This means that a person who files a renewal application before his or her EAD expires will be able to continue working with the expired EAD for up to 180 days while the Department of Homeland Security adjudicates the renewal application.
This change goes into effect January 18, 2017. The automatic extension will not apply to every category of EAD, but will affect anyone with TPS, VAWA, or those with pending applications for permanent residency or asylum, among others.
If you have any questions about how the new rule affects you or if you would like help renewing your EAD, schedule a consultation with an immigration attorney at Wilson Law Group.