USCIS slashes work permit validity from five years to 18 months in major immigration policy shift affecting thousands of noncitizen workers across America.

The Trump administration said it would reduce the period of time that work permits are valid for refugees, asylees and other immigrants granted legal protections in the U.S.

The administration said the change to shorter work-permit windows will force more frequent background checks on noncitizens working in the U.S., which could help identify security risks and remove potentially dangerous migrants.

The Trump administration shortened the work permit duration for asylum seekers on Thursday, citing security concerns with immigrant populations. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)

Shorter work permit expiration timelines will impact asylum seekers and other migrants in need of humanitarian relief, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services said.

The Trump administration has cut work permit validity for certain noncitizens from five years to 18 months, citing increased vetting and national security concerns. USCIS said the change affects refugees,

A former senior USCIS official has told Newsweek that the agency’s newly announced review of green card and other immigration applications could place a significant strain on resources and lead to widespread delays.

On Tuesday Dec. 2, 2025, USCIS released a policy memorandum titled “Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS

The agency said the move was due to a lack of candidates. It comes less than two weeks after ceremonies were canceled in at least seven other counties.