This Time, No Escape: Trump’s New Visa Rule Spells Disaster For Indians In America – Will Thousands Lose Jobs? | World News

Washington: The Donald Trump administration has introduced a major change in US immigration policy that could deprive thousands of Indian professionals and their families of the right to work. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that foreign nationals will now lose their automatic work permit extensions if the renewal of their Employment Authorization Document (EAD) is not approved in a timely manner. The new rule came into force from October 30.

Under this rule, automatic extension of EADs will be stopped. This means that non-U.S. citizens whose renewal applications are pending will no longer be allowed to continue working after their current permit expires. Applicants who apply for renewal on or after October 30, 2025 will not be eligible for the previously available automatic extension benefit, DHS said.

Previously, employees could continue working for up to 540 days while their renewal applications were reviewed. However, under the new rule, if the renewal is not approved before the current EAD expires, the worker will have to stop working immediately.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has advised all foreign nationals to file renewal applications well in advance, at least 180 days before their EAD expires. Authorities warned that delays in application could lead to temporary delays in work permits and documents, and that it is vital for applicants to plan ahead.

Experts believe the new regulation could have serious consequences for Indian workers, who make up a significant portion of America’s immigrant talent pool. Many are already dealing with long-running green card and visa cases.

Immigration attorney Henry Lindpere called the move a “major shift” in how employment authorization renewals are handled in the United States.

Affected categories will likely include Indian professionals taking Optional Practical Training (OPT), H-4 dependent spouses of H-1B visa holders, and individuals awaiting green card approvals.

The policy change, part of the Trump administration’s further tightening of immigration processes, is expected to cause uncertainty for thousands of Indian families who rely on permanent work permits to make ends meet in the United States.