On September 20, 2023, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security announced a series of executive actions to accelerate processing of work authorization, among others to improve immigration processing. DHS announced that U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services will increase the maximum validity period of initial and renewal EADs to five years for certain noncitizens, including those admitted as refugees or granted asylum; recipients of withholding of removal; and applicants for asylum, adjustment of status, or cancellation of removal. The increased validity period will reduce the frequency with which noncitizens must file for to renew their work authorization. This is anticipated to also reduce the associated workload and processing times, which will allow USCIS to concentrate efforts on initial work authorization caseload.
DHS Announces Plan to Grant 5 Year EADs to Applicants for Adjustment, Asylum, Others