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And we're hearing directly from the individuals affected," the official said. USCIS didn't have a breakdown of how many of those permits have lapsed because of the backlog, but an agency official told CNN they've been hearing from those affected about the problem. US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which adjudicates and approves work permits, says there's an unprecedented backlog of 1.4 million work permit applications pending, including initial applications and renewals. The limited supply of workers has already hampered US companies and it's at risk of being exacerbated by immigrants unable to keep jobs because they can't legally work until their permits are renewed.
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"There are huge concerns just generally out there that this is going to keep happening," Fresco said. While three of those employees have since obtained their renewals, the incident is emblematic of an issue dogging companies nationwide. The business, which has roughly 1,000 employees, declined to be named over privacy concerns. US companies already reeling from a worker shortage are now facing the challenge of employees falling out of jobs because their work permits haven't been renewed on time by the federal government.Īn IT company lost five employees this year because their permission to work hadn't been renewed, leaving them unable to legally work in the United States, according to Leon Fresco, an immigration attorney representing the company. Vera de Aponte is one of thousands of immigrants who have lost their jobs - or are on the cusp of losing them - due to bureaucratic delays. It's frustrating, and how do I explain that to her? I can't buy her Christmas gifts because I'm afraid to spend money," Vera de Aponte, who's seeking political asylum in the US, told CNN in Spanish. "I had to talk to my daughter about the situation. Her family has since adjusted their holiday plans, including no longer flying in her husband's mother, over financial concerns. Vera de Aponte, a registered behavior technician for special needs children in Florida, had to walk away from her job this month when her work permit that allows her to legally work in the United States lapsed. (CNN) - Dayana Vera de Aponte had locked in her holiday plans after nearly two years of uncertainty fueled by the coronavirus pandemic, but then the unexpected happened: She lost her job because of an unprecedented US government backlog. This image is from a naturalization ceremony, March 8, in Newark, New Jersey. Months-long processing delays leave people out of work amid nationwide labor shortage.