DHS Launches E-Verify Update: Immigrant Workers at Risk of Sudden Job Loss

In a major update to the U.S. employment verification system, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has rolled out a new “status change report” in E-Verify. This tool alerts employers when an employee’s Employment Authorization Document (EAD) has been revoked — a shift that could deeply affect immigrant workers across the country.

This new functionality arrives amid a wave of immigration policy changes and legal battles that have left both businesses and immigrant workers in a state of confusion.

Why This Update Matters for Employers and Workers

The status change report, available only to employers enrolled in the federal E-Verify system, is designed to flag employees whose work authorisation has been rescinded. Until now, employers had no automated way of knowing if an employee’s EAD was still valid behind the scenes.

However, the DHS has clarified that only employers will receive these updates, not the workers themselves. This discrepancy has raised concerns in sectors that rely heavily on immigrant labour, from construction and agriculture to healthcare and hospitality.

What Prompted the Change?

The update follows a recent US Supreme Court decision that gave the Biden administration the green light to end deportation protections and work permits for large groups of immigrants under programs like:

• Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
• Humanitarian parole
• The CHNV parole program (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela)

Bloomberg reports that the DHS has already started notifying individuals from these parole programs that their legal status has ended.

However, many still hold physical EAD cards that appear valid, even though their underlying authorisation has been revoked, leading to confusion for both employees and employers.

What Employers Need to Know

Employers are now responsible for checking the new status change report to verify the ongoing eligibility of their workforce. If a worker is listed and doesn’t have an alternative legal work status, the employer must terminate their employment.

But DHS has issued a clear warning: ‘Businesses must act carefully. This tool should only be used to confirm continued work authorization, not to target employees based on national origin.”

Employers who misuse this feature could face anti-discrimination investigations under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

Legal Risks on Both Sides

Employers are in a difficult position. On one hand, knowingly hiring someone without valid work authorization can lead to steep civil fines and even criminal prosecution. On the other hand, selectively questioning workers based on nationality or perceived immigration status could violate federal discrimination laws.

For affected immigrant workers, many of whom have pending asylum cases, TPS renewals, or green card applications, the lack of direct notification from DHS makes it even harder to stay informed about their legal standing.

What Immigrant Workers Can Do

If you’re a non-citizen working in the U.S., especially under TPS, humanitarian parole, or asylum status, it’s crucial to:

• Consult an immigration attorney to check if your EAD is still valid.
• Track the status of any pending applications with USCIS.
• Speak with your employer about their use of E-Verify, especially if you’re in a sector where it’s required.

Staying proactive could help avoid sudden job loss due to status changes that DHS may not directly communicate to workers.

Final Thoughts

As the immigration landscape continues to evolve, tools like E-Verify’s status change report signal a shift in how employment authorization is monitored, with major consequences for immigrant workers and U.S. employers alike. Clarity, legal compliance, and communication are now more important than ever.