The United States has unveiled a significant move, announcing the extension of Employment Authorization Cards (EAD) validity to five years for select non-immigrant categories, including those awaiting green cards. This development holds substantial benefits for numerous Indians residing in the country.
USCIS Initiative:
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) revealed the extension, stating that the maximum validity period for both initial and renewal EADs for certain non-citizens, such as asylum or withholding of removal applicants, adjustment of status under INA 245, and suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal applicants, will now be five years.
This initiative aims to notably reduce the number of new Forms I-765 (Application for Employment Authorization) received for renewal EADs, contributing to the reduction of processing times and backlogs.
However, the continuation of employment authorization for noncitizens remains contingent on their underlying status, circumstances, and EAD filing category. USCIS clarified that if an individual's adjustment of status application, the basis for their EAD, is denied, their ancillary employment authorization may be terminated before the expiration date listed on their EAD.
Recent studies indicate that over 1.05 million Indians are currently in the queue for an employment-based Green Card, with a concerning estimate that 400,000 of them might not receive the sought-after legal document due to the extensive backlog.
The backlog in employment-based Green Card applications has reached a record 1.8 million cases this year, with a significant majority, 63%, from India. Another 14% of the backlog comprises nearly 250,000 cases from China.
Relevant and latest facts:
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will be increasing the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) to 5 years for initial and renewal EADs for certain non-citizens who must apply for employment authorisation.
This move will benefit thousands of Indians living in the country, as India has the largest number of foreign nationals in the US waiting for green cards.
According to a new study by the Cato Institute, an American libertarian think tank, more than 10.5 lakh Indians are in the queue for an employment-based Green Card and 4 lakh of them may die before they receive the much-sought-after legal document of permanent residency in the US.
The employment-based Green Card backlog reached a new record of 1.8 million cases this year, with India accounting for 63% of the cases.
Conclusion:
The US' decision to provide 5-year EADs for certain non-immigrants is a welcome move that will benefit thousands of Indians living in the country. This move will reduce processing times and backlogs, and provide non-citizens with greater stability and peace of mind.