Categories News & Updates USCIS

USCIS increases automatic extension period of certain EAD categories

This Temporary Final Rule (TFR) is effective from today, May 4, 2022, and only applies to those EAD categories currently eligible for an automatic 180-day extension. This rule will temporarily provide 360 days of additional automatic extension time for a total of up to 540 days. Eligible applicants must file a timely Form I-765 renewal application during the 18-month period after publication of this TFR.

 

This 360-day increase will be available to applicants whose employment authorization may have lapsed following the initial 180-day extension period, and any eligible applicant who files a renewal Form I-765 during the 18-month period beginning on or after May 4, 2022, and ending October 26, 2023.

 

It is important to note that certain EAD holders including those in H4, E, and L2 status, for instance, are still limited to an automatic extension only until their existing I-94 expires.

 

This automatic extension will end upon a final decision on the EAD renewal application, or up to 540 days after the expiration date on the applicant’s expired EAD card, whichever comes earlier. It is recommended that even with this rule, EAD applications should be filed as far in advance as possible.

 

Please contact your Graham Adair attorney with any case specific questions, or contact us at info@grahamadair.com; +1 408 715 7067.

Categories News & Updates USCIS

USCIS Expands Premium Processing Services

In an effort to increase efficiency and reduce burdens to the overall legal immigration system, USCIS has announced three new actions intended to reduce backlogs, expand Premium Processing Services and provide timely access to Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).

 

Reducing Backlogs: To reduce backlogs, USCIS has established new internal cycle time goals. These goals are internal metrics and affect how long it takes the agency to process cases. As cycle times improve, processing times will follow, and applicants and petitioners will receive decisions on their cases more quickly. USCIS plans to achieve these new goals by the end of FY 2023. The new cycle time goals can be accessed here- https://www.uscis.gov/forms/filing-guidance.

 

Expansion of Premium Processing Service: USCIS intends to begin gradually implementing premium processing availability to include Form I-539, Form I-765 and additional classifications under Form I-140 in fiscal year 2022. First, USCIS plans to begin this phased implementation process by expanding premium processing eligibility to Form I-140 filers requesting EB-1 immigrant classification as a multinational executive or manager, EB-2 classification as a member of the professions with advanced degrees, and those with exceptional ability seeking a national interest waiver. A specific timeline has not yet been announced. We will provide updates on timing as they become available.

 

Access to EADs: USCIS had recently extended validity periods of certain EADs by providing an automatic 180-day extension. Now it aims to build on this progress to ensure certain individuals will not lose their work authorization status while their applications are pending. More updates on the EAD adjudication process will be released by USCIS in the coming days. We will monitor progress and provide updates.

 

Please contact your Graham Adair attorney with any case specific questions, or contact us at info@grahamadair.com; +1 408 715 7067.

Categories News & Updates USCIS

USCIS now approving EADs without APs to improve EAD processing times

USCIS has delayed the adjudication of I-131 Advance Parole applications for travel documents. Routinely, these forms are submitted and adjudicated concurrently with I-765 forms requesting work authorization for employment-based green card applicants. Approved applicants receive an EAD card (employment authorization document) with the notation “Serves as I-512 Advance Parole” included on the card.

 

However, recent applicants have been receiving their EADs without the advance parole notation. Without this notation, applicants cannot use the card for international travel. In the event that an applicant leaves without I-512 Advance Parole, they will not be allowed to reenter the country unless they have another means for entry, such as a temporary visa.

 

After the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) reached out to USCIS for comment, the agency confirmed that “the processing change is intentional as the agency is working through the EAD backlog and is prioritizing EAD adjudication as it seeks to avoid applicants experiencing a lapse or prolonged lapse in employment authorization. At present, there is no additional information available on the scope or duration of this procedural change.”

 

Current processing times for I-131 forms granting travel authorization are 10-20 months, while current processing times for I-765 requests for work authorization are 7-14 months at all major USCIS processing centers. We anticipate that processing times for Advance Parole will increase even more due to this change.

 

Please contact your Graham Adair attorney with any specific questions, or contact us at info@grahamadair.com; +1 408 715 7067.

Categories Department of State News & Updates USCIS

Employment for spouses gets major win today

Today, fifteen nonimmigrant plaintiffs reached a settlement agreement with the Department of Homeland Security in a putative class action over long-delayed processing of H-4 and L-2  employment authorization documents (EADs).

 

The settlement agreement contains two key changes for H-4 and L-2 work authorization:

 

The first major victory is for automatic extension of EAD based on a timely filed extension. Qualifying H-4 nonimmigrants who timely file I-765 extension applications and will continue to have H-4 status beyond the expiration date of their EADs will now have their employment authorization automatically extended. The auto-extension of employment authorization will end once the nonimmigrant’s H-4 status expires according to their Form I-94; once the I-765 application is approved or denied; or 180 days from the expiration date on the face of the EAD.

 

To complete the I-9, qualifying H-4 nonimmigrants may provide a combination of documents in lieu of an unexpired EAD, including an expired EAD, I-765 receipt notice evidencing timely filed application, and unexpired Form I-94.

 

Within 120 days, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will amend I-765 receipt notices to detail the EAD auto-extension eligibility for qualifying H-4 nonimmigrants.

 

The second major victory is that USCIS will issue guidance stating that L-2 spouses will have work authorization incident to status. Within 120 days, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will change the Form I-94 to mention L-2 spouse where appropriate. Once CBP updates the Form I-94, it will be available for use as a List C document for I-9 purposes.

 

Further, L-2 spouses who timely file I-765 extension applications and will continue to have L-2 status beyond the expiration date of their EADs will have their employment authorization automatically extended. The auto-extension will end once the nonimmigrant’s L-2 status expires according to their Form I-94; once the I-765 application is approved or denied; or 180 days from the expiration date on the face of the EAD.

 

To complete the I-9, L-2 spouses may provide a combination of documents in lieu of an unexpired EAD, including an expired EAD, I-765 receipt notice evidencing timely filed application, and unexpired Form I-94.

 

USCIS will issue further guidance to employers and benefit granting agencies. Graham Adair will monitor the situation closely for developments. If you are an L-2 or H-4 spouse with a pending I-765 application and you have questions about the implications of the settlement agreement on your EAD processing, please reach out to the Graham Adair attorney handling your case.

 

Please contact your Graham Adair attorney with any specific questions, or contact us at info@grahamadair.com; +1 408 715 7067.

Categories Compliance News & Updates USCIS

I-9 Update: I-797 Approvals Can Be Accepted in Lieu of EAD Cards

Citing COVID-19, USCIS has been experiencing significant delays in issuing EAD cards. USCIS has therefore announced that I-797 approvals with a notice of action date from December 1, 2019 to August 20, 2020 are acceptable as documentation to satisfy work eligibility for I-9 purposes.

 

Employers should note that I-797 approvals can only be used to satisfy work eligibility, and not identity. If an I-797 approval is used for work eligibility, the employee must also present a List B document to prove identity. By December 1, 2020, employers must re-verify any employee who presented an I-797 approval.

 

We will continue to provide updates on changes to the I-9 process due to the pandemic. In the meantime, please contact your Graham Adair attorney with any questions.