USCIS to Recall Approximately 800 Form I-589-related EADs Due to Production Error

On June 21, 2018, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will begin recalling approximately 800 incorrectly printed Employment Authorization Documents that were issued in conjunction with the Form I-589, Application for Asylum and Withholding of Removal [PDF version]. These defective Employment Authorization Documents were granted by USCIS asylum officers. The reason for the recall is because they “contain a production error that transposed the first and last name of the individuals receiving the [Employment Authorization Documents]. All affected cards were mailed to recipients in April and May of 2018.

The USCIS will send notices to affected individuals, and their attorneys or accredited representatives if a Form G-28, Notice of Entry of Appearance as Attorney or Accredited Representative, was submitted along with the Form I-589.

Upon receiving notice, affected individuals “should return their incorrect [Employment Authorization Documents] to USCIS in the provided pre-paid envelope within 20 days of receiving the notice.” In the alternative, affected individuals may return their Employment Authorization Document to a USCIS field office.

The USCIS will send a replacement Employment Authorization Document within 15 days of receiving a defective Employment Authorization Document.

The USCIS notice explains that the recall does not affect the employment authorization status of individuals who were issued defective Employment Authorization Documents. This is because the affected individuals are employment authorized without needing an Employment Authorization Document. As such, affected individuals may use a Form I-94 showing that they were granted asylum to establish employment authorization for employers. If an affected individual needs proof of employment authorization, he or she may contact the USCIS through its website.

Asylees with case-specific questions should consult with an experienced immigration attorney. To learn more about asylum, please see our growing selection of articles on the subject and on related issues [see category].