For Thousands of Migrants: What Will Happen to USCIS Work Permits This April 24 in the U.S.?

La Nación reports on a significant proposed change by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) that could drastically affect thousands of migrants seeking asylum in the United States. The public comment period for these proposed reforms to work permits (Employment Authorization Documents - EADs) is set to close on April 24, 2026. This is a critical juncture for individuals whose lives and ability to work in the U.S. hang in the balance.

The core of the proposal involves a substantial increase in the waiting period before asylum seekers can even apply for a work permit. Currently, applicants can request an EAD after 150 days and receive it starting at 180 days. The DHS, however, wants to replace this with a single, fixed period, suggesting that applicants should only be able to apply after 365 days from the initial filing of their asylum claim. This shift from a dual-deadline system to a linear count aims, according to the DHS, to simplify a process they deem 'complicated and excessively burdensome.'

Furthermore, the proposed rule extends the initial processing time for employment authorization applications from 30 days to 180 days. When combined with the extended waiting period to apply, the total time from filing an asylum claim to potentially obtaining work authorization could stretch to 545 days. This represents a significant increase in the period of uncertainty and financial strain for asylum seekers, who often rely on work permits to support themselves and their families while their cases are processed.

From our perspective at La Nación, these proposed changes raise serious concerns about the accessibility of work permits for vulnerable populations. While the DHS cites simplification as a goal, the practical effect appears to be a prolonged period of dependency and potential hardship for asylum seekers. It is crucial for affected individuals and advocacy groups to make their voices heard during this public comment period to ensure that the final regulations consider the real-world impact on migrants.