INS Automatically Extends the Validity Period Of Employment Authorization Documents For Current Honduran and Nicaraguan TPS Class Members

WASHINGTON – In an effort to provide ample time for eligible Hondurans and Nicaraguans to re-register for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and to prevent potential gaps in employment authorization while such individuals wait for their applications to be processed, the Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) today announced an automatic extension of the expiration date of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from July 5, 2001 to December 5, 2001, for certain individuals.

Given Service processing capabilities and the number of re-registration applications that the Service anticipates it will receive, it is likely that many re-registrants will receive their new EAD only after the expiration date of their current EAD. This blanket automatic extension is designed to prevent current TPS class members from experiencing a gap in employment authorization.

Beneficiaries need not apply for this extension. However, qualified individuals are encouraged to retain a copy of this News Release for purposes of the employment verification process. Qualified individuals and employers of Honduran or Nicaraguan TPS class members should also consult the Notice of the automatic extension of EADs that is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on July 3, 2001.

For those eligible, it is important to note that this is only a temporary extension that expires on December 5, 2001. After this date, beneficiaries will be required to possess a valid EAD card for purposes of employment verification. Accordingly, Honduran and Nicaraguan TPS class members should re-register for TPS as soon as possible, which includes applying for an EAD extension if they wish to be employment authorized beyond December 5, 2001. The re-registration period ends on August 6, 2001.

The automatic extension applies only to EADs that:

• Are issued to Honduran and Nicaraguan nationals (or aliens having no nationality who last habitually resided in Honduras or Nicaragua) who are currently registered under the TPS designations for Honduras or Nicaragua;
• Bear a July 5, 2001 expiration date; and
• Contain either:
  • The notation "A-12" or "C-19" on the face of the card under "Category", if the EAD was issued on a Form I-766; or
  • The notation "274A.12(A)(12)" or "274A.12(C)(19)" on the face of the card under "Provision of Law," if it was issued on Form I-688B.

All other TPS requirements are accurate and remain in effect.

Additional information concerning the automatic extension will be available on the INS website at www.ins.gov.