On July 9, The Washington Post reported that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is months behind in printing documents required to provide evidence of legal status and work authorization for immigrants and nonimmigrants, including Legal Permanent Resident (LPR or green cards) and Employment Authorization Documents (EAD). The contract with the printing company hired by USCIS in Corbin, KY, ended weeks ago, and USCIS has scaled back printing at their second printing facility in Lee’s Summit, MO. This has resulted in massive delays for foreign nationals and employers who need these documents to reside in the United States or for employment verification.
Reports indicate there is a backlog in printing 50,000 green cards and 75,000 EADs. Evidence of employment authorization – such as an EAD – is required to work in the United States. Green cards must be renewed every 10 years, and green card holders must also present them as employment authorized, eligibility to be readmitted after international travel, and proof of legal residences for driver’s licenses, mortgages, college enrollment, and other applications.
USCIS blames “financial concerns,” for their failure to renew the contract with the printing company despite never alerting Congress. According to a USCIS, approximately 50,000 green cards and 75,000 other employment authorization documents promised to immigrants and nonimmigrants haven’t been printed yet.
USCIS is anticipating furloughing up 15,000 federal employees in the next few weeks if they do not receive a bailout from Congress, which could contribute to additional document backlogs and delays.
Immigration law can be confusing, and it changes frequently. It is important to have legal guidance from a knowledgeable attorney. The immigration attorneys at Godoy Law Office in Chicago and Lombard can help you with your immigration case. If you need help with an immigration issue, please contact our office or call us at 855-554-6369.
