DHS Plan Could Strip Work Permits From Nearly 1 Million Migrants
The Trump administration moved to further limit legal immigration Thursday, with a new rule proposal which would place more restrictions on who can work legally in the United States and for how long.
In a yet unpublished Federal Register filing, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said it was looking to tighten rules around work authorizations, known as EADs, particularly for those with humanitarian parole and non-DACA deferred status, as well as those facing potential deportation.
In 2024, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) processed 978,308 applications under the categories affected.
Newsweek reached out to DHS for comment via email Thursday morning.
New Work Permit Rules: What To Know
The filing proposes sweeping restrictions on work permits for certain noncitizens, sharply limiting eligibility, while increasing vetting, shortening approvals, and tying renewals to E-Verify employment.
The filing says the goal is to:
- Reduce incentives for unauthorized immigration
- Protect U.S. workers and wages
- Ensure immigration laws are strictly enforced
The change would reflect broader efforts by DHS to make changes to the legal immigration system over the past 18 months, from revoking Temporary Protected Status, to changing how some green card applications are handled.
Under the proposal, DHS would sharply limit eligibility for “discretionary” employment authorization, requiring applicants to prove economic need, pass enhanced background checks, and meet stricter case-by-case criteria. The changes would also reduce the length of many work permits to no more than one year and require renewal applicants to work for employers enrolled in the federal E‑Verify system.
One of the most significant shifts would affect immigrants with final removal orders who are currently allowed to stay in the U.S. under supervision. The rule would eliminate work authorization for most of this group, allowing it only in rare cases where DHS determines deportation is not possible because no country will accept the individual.
The proposal also introduces stricter scrutiny of criminal history, stating that arrests, convictions, or evidence of gang or terrorist ties would generally disqualify applicants unless there is a compelling public interest, such as cooperation with law enforcement.
Which Immigrants Would Be Affected?
There were 978,308 total EAD applications in FY 2024 across the affected categories:
- 792,130 parole applications
- 153,154 deferred action applications
- 33,024 removal-order applications
DHS estimates very few people with deportation orders would still be eligible. Only about 322 people per year cannot be deported because no country will accept them. Around 167 people annually are granted CAT (Convention Against Torture) protection.
What Happens Next
The policy is not yet in effect and remains subject to a 60‑day public comment period before it can be finalized. That period opens June 5.
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.
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This story was originally published June 4, 2026 at 8:16 AM.