Iranian Temporary Immigration Relief Act

(a) In general. The Secretary shall authorize an alien granted temporary protected status under section 244 of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1254a) in accordance with this Act to engage in employment in the United States and shall provide such alien with an employment authorization document.

(b) Timing

(1) Interim employment authorization. Not later than 30 days after an eligible individual files an application for temporary protected status, the Secretary shall issue an interim employment authorization document valid for a period of 180 days, unless the Secretary determines within such 30-day period that the applicant is ineligible.

(2) Final employment authorization. Upon granting temporary protected status, the Secretary shall issue an employment authorization document valid for the duration of the designation under section 4.

(c) Automatic extension of existing EAD. For any eligible individual who has a pending benefit application for an employment authorization that is subject to the adjudication pause, the automatic extension period under section 274a.13(d) of title 8, Code of Federal Regulations, shall be extended for an additional period equal to the duration of the adjudication pause, plus 180 days.

(d) No gap in work authorization. For purposes of any Federal or State law, regulation, or policy, an eligible individual who is granted temporary protected status in accordance with this Act shall be deemed to have been continuously authorized for employment from the date on which the individual’s prior employment authorization expired due to the adjudication pause through the date on which employment authorization is issued under this section. No employer shall be liable under section 274A of the Immigration and Nationality Act (8 U.S.C. 1324a) for employing such individual during such gap period.