Following Push by Pingree, King, and Mills, Homeland Security Permanently Extends Eligible Work Permit Authorizations

Today, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced it is permanently increasing the automatic extension to expiring Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for eligible non-citizens from 180 days to up to 540 days. Congresswoman Chellie Pingree, Senator Angus King, and Governor Janet Mills-who just days ago sent a letter to DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Ur Jaddou pushing for this change-welcomed the news on Tuesday and released the following joint statement:

We are thankful to Secretary Mayorkas and the Biden-Harris Administration for taking this important step to increase the automatic extension period for work permits-a change we have long advocated for. This is great news-not only for new Mainers and their families, but also for the many businesses that rely on this skilled workforce and for the communities they help enrich.

This extension provides much-needed stability as states like Maine continue to address labor shortages, ensuring that immigrants and asylum seekers can maintain employment without unnecessary interruptions caused by application backlogs. While this is a meaningful step forward, there is still much work to be done to reform our broken immigration system, streamline work authorization processes, and create a fair and efficient pathway for all.

We remain committed to working with the Administration and our colleagues in Congress to advance comprehensive immigration reforms that reflect our values, strengthen our economy, and meet the needs of Maine's communities.

The final rule will be effective on January 13, 2025 and will apply to eligible applicants with timely filed renewal EAD applications pending or filed on or after May 4, 2022.

As of this fall, 900,000 people are waiting for their initial EAD application to be processed, while an additional 500,000 are seeking renewals.

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