USCIS Provides Greater Flexibility in Processing Work Authorization Requests for Asylum Applicants

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced a regulatory change to provide greater flexibility in the processing of initial employment authorization documents (commonly called EADs) for asylum applicants by removing the burdensome and agency-imposed 30-day time frame. The final rule becomes effective on Aug. 21.

The 30-day time frame was implemented by regulation more than 20 years ago. Since then, filings of asylum applications have spiked and USCIS has developed additional critical background screening and vetting procedures to reduce fraud and identify threats to national security and public safety. 

The rule also removes the requirement that asylum applicants submit their work authorization renewal requests to USCIS 90 days before the expiration of their current employment authorization. This change reduces confusion and clarifies that asylum applicants can file their renewal work authorization applications up to 180 days before the expiration date, minimizing potential gaps in employment authorization.

For more details, visit:

https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/06/22/2020-13391/removal-of-30-day-processing-provision-for-asylum-applicant-related-form-i-765-employment