U.S. strengthens restrictions on immigration work permits in latest effort to increase crackdown

The Trump administration announced on Thursday a significant change to the duration of work permits for refugees, asylees, and other immigrants with legal protections in the United States. This move is part of broader efforts to strengthen immigration enforcement.

The revised rules also affect immigrants with pending applications for asylum or permanent residency, commonly referred to as green cards. These processes often take years to resolve due to a large backlog of cases.

Under the updated policy, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will limit the validity of work permits to a maximum of 18 months, a sharp reduction from the current five-year period.

USCIS cited last weeks attack on two National Guard members in Washington, D.C., as a reason for the change, stating that shorter work permit periods will allow more frequent vetting and security checks for those seeking employment authorization.

The suspect in the attack, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, entered the U.S. in September 2021. His asylum request was approved in April 2025.

"Shortening the maximum work permit duration ensures that individuals seeking employment in the U.S. do not pose a threat to public safety or promote harmful ideologies," USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated. "Following the attack in our nations capital, frequent vetting of applicants is even more crucial."

The policy applies to work permit applications submitted on or after Friday, Dec. 5, as well as pending applications as of that date.

In response to the recent D.C. shooting, the administration has intensified its immigration restrictions, limiting pathways for certain immigrants to legally enter or remain in the country. This includes freezing all asylum requests processed by USCIS, pausing visa and immigration applications from Afghan nationals, and halting legal proceedingsincluding citizenship ceremoniesfor nationals from the 19 countries listed under Trumps travel ban.

Officials have indicated that the travel ban may be expanded to 30 countries in response to the incident in D.C.

Analysis: Implications of Shortened Work Permits for Immigrants

The Trump administration’s decision to reduce work permit validity for refugees, asylees, and other protected immigrants from five years to 18 months marks a significant tightening of immigration policy. This change targets both new and pending applications, including those for asylum and green cards, affecting thousands currently navigating lengthy processing times.

Officials cite national security concerns following the recent attack on National Guard members in Washington, D.C. The suspect, an Afghan national whose asylum had been approved earlier this year, has become a focal point for justifying more frequent vetting of employment authorization applicants.

The shorter work permit duration will require more frequent renewals, increasing the administrative workload for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) and potentially creating additional uncertainty for immigrants already waiting years for status decisions. The move aligns with broader restrictions, including the temporary freeze on asylum requests, paused visa applications from Afghan nationals, and halted legal proceedings for individuals from countries affected by the travel ban.

While the administration frames the policy as a security measure, its practical impact may extend beyond vetting, influencing workforce stability and the ability of immigrants to plan for long-term employment. The expanded vetting and travel restrictions indicate a continuation of a more restrictive approach to immigration enforcement in response to security incidents.

Sources:

• U.S. tightens immigration work permits in latest move to expand crackdown