Rep. Demings on USCIS Announcement

Orlando, FL: Rep. Val Demings (FL-10) today said the following after United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an extensionof the automatic renewal period for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).Said Rep. Demings, "I'm excited that USCIS has followed our recommendation and is working to protect legal immigrants who have done what they were supposed to do and followed the rules. People who have fled hardship and tyranny deserve a fair system, not one where they are punished for playing by the rules. After letters, phone calls, congressional hearings, and community roundtables here in Central Florida, this change will help ensure that the rules are fair, clear, and work for our economy and our families.

Background

If you are not a citizen, you may need a Employment Authorization (EAD) to work legally in the U.S. Thousands of immigrants & asylum seekers from Venezuela, Haiti, Cuba, and around the world have lost their livelihoods due to delaysin getting their EADs renewed.

This hurts both immigrant workers as well as lawful employers who are trying to follow the rules. Rep. Demings held a roundtable this year with employees and employers in Central Florida affected by the backlog.

Congress recently passed (and Rep. Demings voted for) additional funding for USCIS to address the backlog (The bill increases funding for USCIS by more than $200 million)

There is currently an automatic 180 day extensionbut USCIS sometimes takes much longer to process the forms.

Rep. Demings has called for the 180 day extension to be lengthened, writing two letters to USCIS, speaking directly by phone with USCIS Director Jaddou, and questioning Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on the topic.

The new rule takes effect tomorrow and will change the automatic extension from 180 days to 540 days.

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