New DHS Rules Hit Asylum Seekers: Work Permit Renewals Get Stricter in the US

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has finalized a major policy shift, putting an end to the 540-day automatic extension period for Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewals. With the final rule published in the Federal Register, undocumented immigrants, asylum seekers, and even certain H-4 dependent spouses face unprecedented delays and rigorous scrutiny when trying to renew their work permits. Under previous policies, eligible applicants enjoyed multi-year validity and continuous work authorization while pending renewal. Today, backlogs at USCIS—with hundreds of thousands of renewal applications pending—mean many individuals risk losing legal work authorization before their applications are processed, leaving them unable to work legally or forcing them toward informal, cash-in-hand employment. Furthermore, increased scrutiny and enforcement have prompted many to skip hearings or relocate to avoid legal exposure.