The Trump administration on Thursday moved to sharply reduce how long refugees, asylees and other legally protected immigrants can work in the United States, cutting the maximum validity of work permits from five years to 18 months. The change, announced by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), is one of the most sweeping steps yet in its effort to tighten immigration rules
In its statement, USCIS said the change is designed to increase the frequency of security reviews. “Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorisation will ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies,” the agency said.
The announcement referenced last week’s attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., calling it proof that more regular vetting is needed. “After the attack it’s even more clear that USCIS must conduct frequent vetting of aliens,” Director Joseph Edlow said.
Under the revised rules, refugees, asylees, immigrants granted withholding of removal and those awaiting asylum or green card decisions will receive Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) capped at 18 months, rather than the long-standing five-year validity period.
A separate set of changes — mandated by the administration-backed H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act — reduces work permits for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, parolees, pending TPS applicants and related categories to one year or less, depending on their authorized stay.
These changes apply immediately to all pending and future Form I-765 applications filed on or after December 5, 2025.
Officials tied the policy shift directly to the case of Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a 29-year-old Afghan national charged in last week’s deadly attack on National Guard members. Lakanwal entered the US in 2021 under the Biden administration and received asylum in April 2025.
The agency said more frequent EAD renewals will create more opportunities to detect security threats. The five-year validity period, USCIS officials argued, left too long a gap between checks.
The overhaul affects tens of thousands of immigrants whose cases already sit in years-long queues. Advocates warn that forcing applicants to renew work permits every 18 months — or even annually — could deepen delays in a system already burdened by record backlogs.
The administration insists the policy is a necessary public safety measure. Critics say it is a thinly veiled attempt to discourage asylum seekers and humanitarian migrants from staying in the country.
Among the categories now limited to 18-month work permits:
Refugees
Asylees
Those granted withholding of removal
Applicants with pending asylum or withholding cases
Applicants awaiting green cards
Applicants seeking cancellation of removal or relief under NACARA
Categories now limited to 12 months or less include TPS holders, parolees and spouses of entrepreneur parolees.
USCIS says the adjustments will deter fraud and ensure anyone who poses a threat can be processed for removal.
The policy manual update and Federal Register notice were both published Thursday.
