In a significant tightening of its immigration framework, the United States has announced a drastic reduction in the validity period of work permits granted to specific categories of non-citizens. The new rule, unveiled on Thursday, December 4, cuts the maximum validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from five years down to just eighteen months.
Stricter Vetting Drives Policy Shift
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) formally updated its Policy Manual to enact this change. The agency stated that the primary objective is to enable more frequent background checks and screening of individuals. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow emphasized that this move is designed to ensure those seeking work in the U.S. do not endanger public safety or hold ideologies deemed harmful to American interests.
Edlow directly referenced a recent tragic incident in the nation's capital, where an attack led to the death of a National Guard service member. The assailant, identified as Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was cited as a key factor prompting the need for recurrent vetting. "After the attack... by an alien who was admitted into this country by the previous administration, it’s even more clear that USCIS must conduct frequent vetting of aliens," Edlow stated.
The updated policy applies to all EAD applications that are filed or are already pending on or after December 5, 2025.
Who is Affected by the New Limits?
The shortened validity period targets several vulnerable immigrant groups. Individuals falling under the following categories will now receive work permits valid for a maximum of 18 months:
- Aliens admitted as refugees
- Aliens granted asylum
- Those granted withholding of deportation or removal
- Individuals with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal
- Persons with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245
- Those with pending applications for suspension of deportation or cancellation of removal
Furthermore, under the provisions of H.R. 1 - One Big Beautiful Bill Act, an even stricter cap is imposed on another set of categories. For these groups, EAD validity will be limited to one year or the duration of their Temporary Protected Status (TPS) or parole period, whichever is shorter.
Broader Context of Immigration Crackdown
This policy revision is not an isolated action but part of a series of restrictive measures implemented by the Trump administration. It follows other recent steps, including a pause on immigration from several nations and the suspension of visas for holders of Afghan passports. The USCIS has clarified that the core aim is to institute a system of regular review for immigrants whose cases remain unresolved for extended periods.
For the affected communities—including thousands of refugees and asylum seekers—this change introduces greater uncertainty and more frequent bureaucratic hurdles. They will now need to navigate the renewal process nearly three times more often than before, potentially impacting their employment stability and integration process in the United States.
