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ARTICLE · 20 OCTOBER 2026

New DHS Rules Shorten Refugee Deadline, End Companion Automatic Work Permit Extensions

Jackson Lewis P.C.
Jackson Lewis P.C.
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Jackson Lewis P.C.

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On Oct. 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule (IFR), effective immediately, cutting the time a refugee has to respond to a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) refugee status from 30 days to 10 days. 91 Fed. Reg. 65077. Comments are due Nov. 13, 2026 (Docket No. USCIS-2026-0397).

United StatesImmigration
Danielle Kutinsky
Danielle Kutinsky
Sean G. Hanagan
Sean G. Hanagan

On Oct. 14, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued an interim final rule (IFR), effective immediately, cutting the time a refugee has to respond to a Notice of Intent to Terminate (NOIT) refugee status from 30 days to 10 days. 91 Fed. Reg. 65077. Comments are due Nov. 13, 2026 (Docket No. USCIS-2026-0397).

The same day, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) finalized the October 2025 IFR ending automatic employment authorization document (EAD) extensions for certain categories, including refugees and asylees. 91 Fed. Reg. 65306.

Together, the rules leave refugees less time to defend their status and less protections to keep working.

What the IFR Does

The IFR amends 8 C.F.R. § 207.9 to shorten the refugee 10 days, down from 30 days, to respond and oppose termination. The basic termination standard is unchanged. There is no appealing the termination, and USCIS will process the individual under INA §§ 235, 240, and 241.

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