By Africa Bazaar Staff Writer | October 31, 2025
WASHINGTON — The Trump administration’s latest immigration policy overhaul is set to reshape the employment landscape for foreign workers in the United States — and its ripple effects could stretch all the way to Africa.
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security Wednesday announced a new interim final rule that ends the automatic extension of work permits — known as Employment Authorization Documents for certain visa categories. The change, which takes effect October 30, means that immigrants will no longer be automatically cleared to work while their renewal applications are pending, except in limited cases such as Temporary Protected Status .
According to DHS, the move is designed to strengthen vetting and security checks for non-citizens seeking to extend their authorization to work in the U.S.
“Working in the United States is a privilege, not a right,” said United States Citizenship and Immigration Services Director Joseph Edlow. “This is a commonsense measure to ensure proper screening and protect Americans’ safety and security.”
Under the new policy, individuals must now renew their EADs up to 180 days before expiration to avoid employment gaps—a process that could disrupt both workers and employers if processing delays occur. The rule does not affect renewals already approved before the October deadline.
PARTNER’S PRODUCT
At the same time, DHS is mandating electronic payment for all paper-filed immigration forms, part of a broader modernization effort aligned with the administration’s “Modernizing Payments To and From America’s Bank Account” executive order. The agency says the shift will reduce fraud risks and streamline operations, with payments now processed via the secure Pay.gov platform.
“Over 90% of our payments currently come through checks and money orders,” said USCIS spokesperson Matthew Tragesser. “This move eliminates delays and brings the immigration system into the digital age.”
This new rule adds to a series of immigration restrictions introduced under President Trump’s second term — including a $100,000 fee for new H-1B visa petitions and heightened scrutiny in the naturalization process. The administration says these changes aim to “restore integrity” to U.S. immigration systems by prioritizing high-skilled, high-wage workers and tightening background checks.
While the White House argues that these measures protect American workers, immigration experts warn they could create longer processing times, labor shortages, and economic uncertainty — especially in industries reliant on international talent.
Impact on Africa: A Shrinking Pathway
For African professionals and students working or studying in the United States, the rule introduces new uncertainty. Many African nationals depend on EADs tied to OPT programs, H-1B visas, or humanitarian categories. Without automatic extensions, even minor administrative delays could result in job losses or temporary deportations.
The shift may also deter U.S. employers from hiring foreign workers, narrowing one of the key professional pipelines for Africans in fields like technology, healthcare, and academia.
More broadly, analysts say the policy could indirectly affect remittance flows to Africa, which reached over $60 billion in 2024 — much of it from African professionals employed abroad. A slowdown in employment authorization renewals or work opportunities could reduce those vital funds, impacting household incomes, education, and investment across the continent.
While DHS’s modernization drive toward electronic processing signals efficiency and transparency, critics argue that pairing it with tighter immigration restrictions undercuts inclusion and global competitiveness.
For many African workers and U.S. employers alike, the new policy represents both a technological leap forward and a bureaucratic barrier — one that could further separate opportunity from access.
As the world watches Washington’s shifting immigration stance, one question looms large for Africa: Will this new era of digital efficiency also mean the closing of door? The answer to that is left to be seen.
