The United States Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has made a significant change to help refugees settle in the US faster.
Previously, it took a long time for refugees to get a work permit, but a new announcement of the refugee work permit is a significant improvement by the U.S. immigration department.
It reduces the waiting period for refugees to obtain work authorization upon their arrival in the United States.
The Refugee Work Permit initiative promises to deliver employment authorization in just 30 days, marking a remarkable shift from the previous timelines that could extend for months.
This new approach ensures that refugees arriving in the United States face fewer obstacles when seeking work authorization.
Instead of dealing with complicated paperwork and bureaucracy, refugees can now expect to receive permission to work within just 30 days of their arrival.
By speeding up the process of obtaining work authorization, the U.S. aims to help refugees rebuild their lives and become active members of their new communities quickly.
How Does the United States Refugee Work Permit Work?
Upon their arrival in the United States, refugees will no longer need to navigate the cumbersome process of applying for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs).
- The new process began quietly on December 10 last year, after a successful trial period.
- It’s fully automated, using a Digital Version of Form I-765, called Application for Employment Authorization, for incoming refugees.
- U.S. starts reviewing applications as soon as refugees enter the United States.
- This cuts down the wait time for a work permit to about 30 days, compared to several months previously.
- Once immigration department approves Form I-765, refugees can expect to receive their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) by mail within one to two weeks, though delivery times may vary.
Additionally, the immigration department will collaborate with the Social Security Administration to issue a Social Security Number and card to refugees, further facilitating their integration into American society.
USCIS Refugee Work Permit Across Presidential Terms:
During George W. Bush’s time as president, the number of refugees allowed into the country stayed around 70,000 to 80,000. This reflected the focus on security after the 9/11 attacks.
Under President Barack Obama’s rule, he wanted to help more refugees, especially those affected by the Syrian crisis. He proposed letting in up to 110,000 refugees in 2017.
But then, President Donald Trumps thoughts were different. He was worried about security and lowered the number of refugees allowed in to just 15,000 in 2021, the lowest it had ever been.
Now, Joe Biden is president. He wants to go back to helping more refugees and has set a limit of 125,000 for 2022 and 2023. However, reaching these goals has been hard due to delays in processing and the COVID-19 pandemic.
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This change is part of the government’s more comprehensive plan to help people escape danger and be more caring in global crises. The USCIS says this new, more straightforward process is a big step forward in assisting refugees to fit into American life.
How long does it take to obtain a work permit under the USCIS Refugee Work Permit initiative?
Refugees can expect to receive work authorization within just 30 days of their arrival in the United States.
Will refugees still need to apply for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) under the new system?
No, the USCIS will digitally generate the Application for Employment Authorization (Form I-765) on behalf of refugees, eliminating the need for them to initiate the application process themselves.
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