The Department of Homeland Security finalized a rule Wednesday ending automatic work permit extensions for certain immigrants awaiting renewal approval, leaving affected workers at risk of losing their authorization to work while federal officials process their applications.
Published October 14, 2026, the final regulation permanently adopts restrictions that took effect under the Trump administration on October 30, 2025. Immigrants covered by the policy must generally receive approval from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) before their existing work permits expire, even when they submit renewal applications on time.
The restrictions replaced a protection that allowed eligible immigrants to continue working for up to 540 days while USCIS processed their renewal requests. The Biden administration had expanded that extension period to prevent employment interruptions caused by federal processing backlogs.
Affected applicants include certain asylum seekers, immigrants awaiting green card decisions, and qualifying spouses of foreign workers who depend on employment authorization documents, commonly known as EADs. Those whose permits expire before renewal approval may face interruptions in employment and income while their applications remain pending.
DHS estimates that between 20,000 and 33,000 work permits could lapse during an 18-month period beginning in May 2027, potentially affecting 1,700 to 2,800 employers. Its midpoint estimate of approximately 27,000...
[OSEN=Choi Lee-jung Reporter] As past remarks by singer Yang Hong-won expressing his dislike of infidelity resurface, reactions continue to grow that the recent 'motel infidelity allegations' agai...