Biden Administration Protects Work Permits for Nearly 800,000 Immigrants, Following Letter Led by Congressman García and Colleagues

WASHINGTON, DC — Last week, Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (IL-04) and his colleagues led a bicameral letter urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to lengthen the current automatic extension period for immigrants’ work permits (employment authorization documents or “EADs”) from 180 days to at least 540 days. An extension was necessary to allow USCIS more time to process permits and ensure that immigrants’ work permits didn’t lapse through no fault of their own. 

Following this letter, the Biden administration today announced a temporary rule extending work permits for 540 days for immigrants whose work permit renewal applications are stuck in processing logs. This new rule will protect work authorizations for nearly 800,000 asylum seekers, immigrants with pending green card applications, refugees, and some TPS holders. 

“I applaud the Biden administration for heeding our call and taking urgent action to prevent immigrants’ work permits from lapsing through no fault of their own. Backlogs and delays can make navigating the immigration system even more difficult, and this new rule brings a measure of stability to many immigrants, including people in my district. I will keep fighting to address backlogs, protect and expand access to work permits for new arrivals and long-term immigrants, and build an immigration system rooted in dignity and opportunity,” saidCongressman Jesús “Chuy” García.

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