Last week, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) ended an automatic grace period for immigrants with pending work permit renewals, a ruling that will push out of the workforce many immigrants stuck in a growing administrative backlog. DHS said it intended to cancel the current 540-day buffer given to refugees, asylees, and spouses of certain other visa holders when they file for an Employment Authorization Document (EAD) renewal, as well as green-card applicants, Newsweek reported.

Immigrants who file to renew their extension of EAD on or after Oct. 30 will no longer receive an automatic extension. Exceptions include extensions for immigrants with employment authorization through Temporary Protected Status (TPS) and extensions provided by statute.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the DHS department that administers immigration benefits, recommends immigrants seek a timely renewal of their EAD by properly filing a renewal application up to 180 days before their EAD expires. The longer an immigrant waits to file an EAD renewal application, USCIS said the more likely it is that they may experience a temporary lapse in their employment authorization or documentation.

Bloomberg Law reported USCIS announced the abrupt new ruling amid broader efforts by the Trump administration to limit access to temporary humanitarian benefits, including terminating TPS and parole programs, along with suppressing asylum claims at the border.

The November/December issue of ISSA Today is now available in a digital format.

This edition closes out the year with big ideas and bold moves shaping the future of clean. See how industry leaders are redefining innovation—and what’s next for workforce development, certification, and global collaboration. Get a front-row look at ISSA’s leadership transition, plus practical plays for improving indoor air quality, elevating training, and expanding your professional network in 2026. Don’t miss it—this issue is your year-end briefing for leaders who move the industry forward.

Here’s a quick look at what you’ll find in this issue:

• Straight Talk!: @Sustainability
• President’s Message: Win the week at ISSA Show
• ISSA In Action!: An inside look at what ISSA is doing for its members today.
• The ISSA Emerging Leaders Class of 2025: 30 industry professionals who are leading by both determination and example.
• The Fomite Factor: Target the touchpoints that drive transmission.
• Think Sustainably: It’s not just another side project.
• Holistic Strategies for Healthy Buildings: Connect cleaning and air quality for healthier indoor spaces.
• Run the Plays, Win the Deals: Turn role-play into drills that boost confidence, speed, and win rates.
• The Q2 Reality Check: Signs of stabilization amid ongoing headwinds.
• Measuring Worker Intangibles: Turn empowerment, morale, and quality into numbers you can actually use.
• The Predictive Restroom Advantage: Why it’s time to rethink smart building strategy.
• The ISSA Partner Program: Unlock exclusive member savings today!
• From Chasm to Scale: Putting the robotic tipping point in the rearview mirror.
• Member Spotlight on Champion Service Group: Raising the standard in healthcare cleaning.

View the Table of Contents to see everything available in this issue.

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