AILA: Trump Administration Ending of Automatic Extension of Work Permits Will Damage American Businesses, Workers, and Families

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) published an advance copy of a new rule, without notice and comment, which eliminates automatic extensions of existing work permits for many immigrants. Leaders from the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) responded to the news:

AILA President Jeff Joseph condemned the change: “Without any notice, the Trump Administration is yet again pulling the rug out from under U.S. employers and workers. The administration is eliminating a longstanding rule that allowed previously vetted individuals who were granted work authorization to continue working while their timely filed renewal application was pending with USCIS. For nearly a decade, the agency automatically extended work permits for 180 days, which was later increased to 540 days, to provide relief from massive backlogs and delays in government processing. Now, the Trump Administration wants to eliminate this failsafe which protected employers and workers from government inefficiencies. This action fast tracks pink slips as employers will have no choice but to fire needed workers. The Trump Administration is again failing to support American businesses and in fact, outright harming our nation’s economic stability.”

AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson added, “Rather than improving the process the administration is blowing it up and taking American business and workers down with it. These individuals have been vetted by the government, are legally working, and are eligible to continue working. They are following the rules by submitting their paperwork to USCIS to renew their work permits but now they will be out of work and out of luck due to bureaucratic delays. Because USCIS is not properly funded or staffed, people who file applications to renew their valid work permits regularly face extended months-long delays for their applications to be approved. Given the Administration’s stated desire to bring businesses back to our shores, this policy change is nonsensical and punishes those who are following our laws.”

Related Resources

• Practice Alert: New IFR Ends Automatic Extension for Any Work Permit Renewal Filed on October 30 (AILA member resource) - 10/29/25