Work permit delays disrupt foreign workers’ career plans

Immigration advocates are rightly fretting over the Trump administration’s new health insurance mandate and efforts to dismantle the asylum system. But away from the spotlight, another crisis is quietly brewing that could affect virtually every foreign-born STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) student and worker.

The problem lies in Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). These work permits, issued by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), authorize international students and green card applicants to take jobs. Requests for EADs, known as I-765s, now account for more than a quarter of all forms USCIS receives. But technological hiccups, staffing shortages, and the pressures of conforming to new immigration policies mean the agency is taking longer and longer to process them. That’s leaving tens of thousands of students and skilled workers unable to work and hundreds of thousands of tech positions unfilled for months, or even years. 

The EAD crisis has been simmering for years but reached a head in early 2017 when officials scrapped a rule requiring USCIS to process I-765s within 90 days. Along with an influx of new EAD requests from DACA and TPS recipients, that’s led to spiraling delays. In 2015, 23 percent of EAD applications took more than three months to process; by 2018, it had doubled to 46 percent. The average processing time today for non-DACA-related EADs is almost five months, with over a third of applications taking significantly longer — last year, over 118,000 applications took more than nine months to process. 

That squares with what we’re seeing at Boundless: our internal data show that average EAD wait times have climbed above five months, with many customers waiting eight months or more for work permits. We’re also seeing an enormous disparity among processing facilities, with some USCIS service centers far more clogged than others. At the time of writing, if your I-765 is processed in Texas, for example, you could get your EAD within three weeks; if in Vermont, you could wait more than 17 months, depending on the immigration status you seek.

That adds up to an unpredictable, unfair, and deeply frustrating situation and one more obstacle for the skilled immigrants that President Donald Trump says he’s trying to attract to the United States. Whether you’re trying to make ends meet while waiting for your green card, seeking a summer job, or hoping to work after graduation, EAD delays can be excruciating — and unless your employer is willing to wait for you, the holdup could cost you your dream job. 

So what could you do if you find yourself stuck in EAD limbo? Fortunately, you have options:

If you already have a visa, hold on to it

Many immigrants file EAD requests as part of their green card applications, even if they’re already authorized to work under visas such as an H-1B or L-1. That’s a smart move: If your current work visa expires, but you’ve been issued an EAD, you’ll be able to keep working until your green card arrives. Still, if your EAD gets delayed, you’ll be glad to know that as long as your original employment-based visa remains valid, you can keep working without a problem. 

Bear in mind, though, that you won’t be able to renew your existing visa after filing a green card application. It’s worth applying for your green card as soon as you’re eligible to give you plenty of time before your existing work visa expires.  

If you’re still waiting, tell USCIS

It’s not impossible for your EAD to slip through the cracks or be sent to the wrong address, so check with USCIS if things are taking too long. Start by checking the processing times for your service center. If you filed your I-765 before the “receipt date for a case inquiry” listed on the USCIS processing times tool, you can file an e-Request or call 1-800-375-5283 for an update. 

In some cases, you can also ask USCIS to expedite your I-765. This is only available in certain circumstances, such as if delays are due to USCIS error or if you or your prospective employer would otherwise suffer major financial losses. Unfortunately, the possibility of losing or delaying acceptance of a job offer isn’t sufficient grounds for expediting an application.

Still stuck in limbo? Ask for help

If USCIS isn’t helpful, you can request assistance from the Citizenship and Immigration Services (CIS) Ombudsman, which advocates for applicants whose cases aren’t processed correctly. The Ombudsman saw a sixfold increase in EAD-related requests between 2013 and 2018 and sometimes managed to speed up the process: Of the over 4,000 people who requested help last year, more than 1,800 received expedited EAD processing. 

Another option is to tell your congressional representatives about your situation. Lawmakers sometimes reach out to USCIS directly, especially if EAD delays are hurting employers in their district, and their advocacy can often jolt USCIS into action.  

If you’re a student, explore CPT

If you’re an F-1 student, you’ll need an EAD in order to take advantage of Optional Practical Training (OPT) for internships or jobs — but Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a good alternative. CPT, which doesn’t require an EAD, lets international students take employment that’s necessary for their studies, and a growing number of colleges are expanding their CPT programs after EAD delays led students to miss out on internships. 

CPT is usually quicker and easier to get approved than OPT, and you can hold more than one CPT authorization at a time. Still, it can bring additional complications. Notably, if you complete a year of CPT while you’re studying, you’ll forfeit the right to use OPT once you graduate. You’ll also need your institution’s support along the way, so talk to your college administrators to discuss next steps.

Consider interning or volunteering

If your EAD doesn’t come through, consider an unpaid internship. You’ll get the practical experience you need — just be careful not to inadvertently break the rules. The government frowns on internships involving tasks that would otherwise have been done by a paid employee, and you won’t be able to accept freebies, such as food or transportation. You also can’t be promised a job or other benefits at a later date.

Another option is to volunteer for a nonprofit, which would allow you to use your skills for a good cause while gaining valuable experience. But again, take heed: Much like an unpaid internship, volunteering will be considered unauthorized employment if you fill a role that would ordinarily go to a paid worker or if you expect to receive any future benefit (like a job offer) in exchange for your time.

Don’t jeopardize your chances

When you’re struggling with EAD delays, it’s easy to get frustrated. But there are three key things you should never do, no matter how bad the situation gets:

  1. Don’t work without authorization. It can be hard to make ends meet, but if you get caught working without a permit, you could blow your chance at a future in the United States. Your employer could also get into serious trouble.
  2. Don’t just leave. It might be tempting to head home and find work there, but depending on your specific situation, you might be giving up big opportunities —  including your pathway to a green card (U.S. permanent residence) — if you leave the country prematurely. Make sure you understand all the implications before you throw up your hands and get on a flight home. 
  3. Don’t get complacent. If you’re lucky enough to receive an EAD, remember that you’ll typically need to renew it each year. Get your renewal paperwork squared away once you’re within 180 days of your work permit’s expiration date so you don’t end up with gaps in your employment authorization.

Don’t despair

Work permit delays are causing serious problems for highly-skilled immigrants, and forcing tech companies to leave vital positions unfilled. Still, all is not lost. Immigration advocates, universities, lawmakers, and even the CIS Ombudsman are pressing USCIS to streamline and accelerate EAD processing. That will hopefully spur USCIS to act, though of course there’s no guarantee that changes will come soon enough to make a difference for current applicants. 

In the meantime, the key is to do all you can to streamline the process, including filing your I-765 accurately and doing all you can to hurry things along. Bureaucratic delays are always frustrating, but there’s still a clear pathway open to skilled workers who want to build a future in the United States.