Comment Submitted by Lauren Crain
AnonymousOpposeIndividual
Summary: Lauren Crain opposes the proposed rule, arguing that it would create hardships for vulnerable refugees and newcomers who are already struggling to integrate. She also notes that the rule could negatively impact small businesses and local farms by restricting their ability to hire these individuals to address labor shortages.
I am writing to oppose the proposed rule, "Clarification of Discretionary Employment Authorization for Certain Aliens,"DHS Docket No. USCIS-2026-0067" because of the additional hardship it would add to vulnerable people who have already fought so hard to get to our country.
I worked for several years to try and help my Afghan friend's family to safety out of their country. Unfortunately, after raising thousands of dollars and applying through the Welcome Corps to bring them here, they were denied because they barely missed a deadline for when they had needed to flee Afghanistan. In addition, the Welcome Corps program was shut down with the change of administration. Thankfully, several other family members of my Afghan friend fled to the U.S. when everything went down in the summer of 2021. I am writing on behalf of these valid refugees, Ukrainians, and several others whose lives and livelihood would be jeopardized by this rule.
In addition to affecting many refugees and newcomers, this rule would bring increased challenges to small businesses, local farms, and neighborhood shops who face labor shortages. The ability to hire these newcomers help employers of these entities and our economy to thrive.
I urge DHS to withdraw this proposal and allow individuals with humanitarian parole to continue supporting their family and community. Thank you.
Lauren Crain