FOLLOW US

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Wednesday an interim final rule ending automatic extensions for expiring work permits, reversing a Biden-era policy that had stretched renewal extensions from 180 to 540 days. The decision, DHS said, is aimed at tightening screening and vetting processes that had become too lenient under the previous rule.

The move is being cast as a national security measure, designed to ensure every applicant undergoes full eligibility and safety verification before renewal. The new rule takes effect Thursday, upon publication in the Federal Register, and allows 30 days for public comment.

DHS Tightens Vetting and Ends Biden-Era “Convenience Rule”

According to DHS, the expanded 540-day extension period created vulnerabilities in the system by granting continued work authorization without full vetting. The updated rule will restore stricter standards but retain limited exceptions, including for individuals under Temporary Protected Status (TPS).

“USCIS is placing renewed emphasis on robust alien screening and vetting,” said U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow. “We’re eliminating policies that prioritized aliens’ convenience ahead of Americans’ safety and security.”

The shift represents a sharp departure from the Biden administration’s more lenient approach, which DHS now claims allowed security lapses to occur during the renewal process.