Headlines:
DHS Publishes Interim Closing Rule Ending Automated Extension of Sure EADs – The rule doesn’t have an effect on the validity of EADs that had been routinely prolonged earlier than October 30, 2025, or which are in any other case routinely prolonged by legislation or by way of a Federal Register discover, similar to for Momentary Protected Standing-related employment documentation.
Presidential Dedication Limits Refugee Admissions to Historic Low of seven,500 in FY 2026, Prioritizes Afrikaners From South Africa – The cap is the bottom restrict on refugee admissions since institution of the US’ refugee program in 1980. The newest dedication follows the admission in Might 2025 of a bunch of 49 white Afrikaners into the US as refugees. President Trump has accused the South African authorities of racial discrimination in opposition to Afrikaners, which that authorities has denied.
Particulars:
DHS Publishes Interim Closing Rule Ending Automated Extension of Sure EADs
Efficient October 30, 2025, an interim last rule revealed the identical day ends the automated extension of sure Employment Authorization Paperwork (EADs) (Varieties I-766) for many who have well timed filed an utility to resume an EAD in sure employment authorization classes. The Division of Homeland Safety (DHS) mentioned the rule doesn’t have an effect on the validity of EADs that had been routinely prolonged earlier than October 30, 2025, or which are in any other case routinely prolonged by legislation or by way of a Federal Register discover, similar to for Momentary Protected Standing (TPS)-related employment documentation.
DHS famous that sure conditions “proceed to increase the validity interval of a facially expired EAD.” An EAD is prolonged when an EAD beneficiary:
- Presents a Kind I-797C, Discover of Motion, receipt discover displaying well timed submitting of a renewal EAD utility earlier than October 30, 2025. Such EADs keep an up-to-540-day computerized extension;
- Presents an EAD that has been routinely prolonged by a Federal Register discover for TPS class A12 or C19 EADs; or
- Is roofed below different EAD extensions offered by legislation, such because the Non-obligatory Sensible Coaching extension for science, know-how, engineering, and arithmetic college students (STEM-OPT) or the F-1 to H-1B cap-gap.
Dependents who’ve work authorization primarily based on their immigration standing, similar to L-2 and E spouses, are not included on this change. These people are licensed to work primarily based on their underlying standing, not the validity of an EAD. Whereas some should select to use for an EAD for documentation functions, the expiration of that card doesn’t terminate their work authorization, which continues so long as their standing stays legitimate.
Employers might wish to think about:
- Auditing I-9 data and establishing a renewal monitoring system to determine at-risk workers.
- Speaking early with international nationwide employees to make sure well timed submitting of renewals (which at the moment take seven months or extra).
- Assessing/creating contingency plans for important roles probably affected by EAD lapses.
- Monitoring DHS updates, because the rule invitations public remark, which may end in future changes.
Given the anticipated widespread impression on employers and international nationwide staff, litigation is probably going. Feedback on the interim last rule are due by December 1, 2025.
Presidential Dedication Limits Refugee Admissions to Historic Low of seven,500 in FY 2026, Prioritizes Afrikaners From South Africa
A Presidential Dedication revealed on October 30, 2025, limits refugee admissions in Fiscal 12 months (FY) 2026 to 7,500 and prioritizes Afrikaners from South Africa: “The admissions numbers shall primarily be allotted amongst Afrikaners from South Africa pursuant to Government Order 14204, and different victims of unlawful or unjust discrimination of their respective homelands.”
The newest dedication follows the admission in Might 2025 of a bunch of 49 white Afrikaners into the US as refugees. President Trump has accused the South African authorities of racial discrimination in opposition to Afrikaners, which that authorities has denied.
The cap is the lowest restrict on refugee admissions since institution of the US’ refugee program in 1980. For comparability, the newest earlier refugee admissions cap was 125,000 in FY 2025.
