In an effort to strengthen immigration regulations, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has discontinued the automatic renewal of work permits for migrant workers. This decision is anticipated to impact a significant number of Indian employees, who constitute a substantial portion of the foreign labor force.
The DHS stated that the new policy, effective immediately, is aimed at ensuring proper screening and vetting of migrant workers before extending their Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
“Aliens who submit EAD renewal applications on or after October 30, 2025, will no longer receive automatic extensions,” the DHS announced. By ceasing automatic extensions of EADs, the department aims to enhance the vetting process for individuals seeking employment authorization in the US.
The review of an individual’s background often enables the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to prevent fraud and identify individuals with potential malicious intentions for appropriate action, including potential deportation, the statement added.
USCIS chief Joseph Edlow characterized the rule as a sensible approach to ensuring thorough vetting and screening before extending an individual’s employment authorization.
Emphasizing that working in the US is a privilege and not a right, Edlow underscored the importance of maintaining proper vetting procedures.
Under the previous administration led by President Joe Biden, migrant workers were permitted to continue working if they applied for permit renewals on time even after the expiration of their permits.
Official figures indicate that close to 450,000 individuals apply for EAD extensions annually in the US, with USCIS processing around 49,000 applications each month.
This recent immigration regulation follows President Donald Trump’s proclamation over a month ago, which introduced a new annual $100,000 application fee for H-1B visas, causing concern among the expatriate workforce. The proclamation marked a significant change to the program for highly skilled foreign workers since its inception in 1990.
India accounted for 71% of all approved H-1B visa recipients, while China represented 11.7%. H-1B visas are typically granted for periods ranging from three to six years.
The US allocates 85,000 H-1B visas annually through a lottery system. This year, Amazon secured the highest number of approvals, exceeding 10,000, followed by Tata Consultancy, Microsoft, Apple, and Google. California houses the largest concentration of H-1B workers, as per USCIS records.
In a related development, the DHS recently announced new border regulations mandating that all non-US citizens, including Green Card holders, undergo photography upon entry and exit from the country. This measure is scheduled to be implemented starting December 26.