USCIS Memo on Employment Authorization for Refugees and Asylees

This USCIS memo from William Yates clarifies that employment authorization begins for asylees and refugees on the date they attained their asylee or refugee status, and continues as long as they are in that status. The memo also clarifies that although 8 C.F.R. § 274a.12(a)(3)-(5) imply that an alien granted asylum or refugee status must also apply for an EAD, asylees and refugees are authorized to be employed incident to status regardless of whether they have an EAD. AMDOC#: 200509012