Law Office of Joseph B. Caraccio

Proposed Policy Change

A rule that took effect May 29, 2026, changed how long TPS-based Employment Authorization Documents (EAD’s or “work permits”), remain valid.

Under the new policy, TPS-based EAD’s will generally be limited to one year or the remainder of the country’s TPS designation period, whichever is shorter.

Impact

Shortening work authorization periods obviously, means TPS holders will need to renew their work authorization more often than before. This adds another layer of uncertainty for immigrant workers and their families, as well as for employers. Further, it means more opportunities for complications, delays, mistakes, etc.

More frequent renewals can mean:

• higher filing costs
• additional paperwork
• greater risk of employment interruptions if processing delays occur
• more time spent navigating government processes

For employers, these shorter renewal cycles can also create administrative burdens and workforce instability. For workers, even temporary gaps in authorization can jeopardize jobs and financial security.

Most TPS holders are contributors to their communities and workplaces who are attempting to remain fully compliant with immigration rules. Critics of the new policy argue that increasing renewal frequency without improving processing reliability could create unnecessary instability for people who are already following the legal process.

What You Can Do

Write to your representatives and vote. That’s about it unfortunately.