This policy update, effective December 5, 2025, marks another step in the Trump administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigration. The reduction in work permit validity is designed to enable more frequent background checks for immigrants, which officials claim will help identify individuals who may pose a threat to national security. However, the decision has raised concerns about the potential hardship it could cause to immigrants who depend on these permits to work and support their families.
The Motivation Behind the Change
The new work permit policy is a direct response to a tragic incident that occurred in Washington, D.C., where an Afghan national, granted asylum under the Biden administration‘s Operation Allies Welcome program, was charged with the shooting of two National Guard members. One of the guards died from injuries sustained in the attack, while the other remains in critical condition.
In the wake of this incident, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has shortened the maximum validity period for work permits issued to certain immigrant groups, including refugees, asylum seekers, and those with pending asylum claims. According to USCIS Director Joseph Edlow, the change is meant to ensure that immigrants who are authorized to work in the U.S. are thoroughly vetted and do not pose a threat to public safety. Edlow emphasized that the reduction in permit duration would allow for more frequent re-screening, especially for individuals with pending asylum or deportation relief applications.
The Trump administration has consistently cited national security concerns as the driving force behind this shift. Officials argue that reducing the duration of work permits will help ensure that individuals who might hold harmful or anti-American ideologies are identified and removed from the country if necessary.
Potential Impact on Immigrants and the Immigration System
While the stated goal of the policy is to enhance security, the practical implications for immigrants, particularly those seeking asylum or refugee status, are significant. Many of these individuals rely on work permits to support themselves and their families while they await the resolution of their cases. The new policy could lead to uncertainty and even periods where immigrants are unable to work legally, as renewing work permits can take months due to delays in processing.
Kennji Kizuka, director of asylum policy at the International Rescue Committee, voiced concerns about how the new policy will further complicate an already strained immigration system. “That means that people are more and more likely to fall into periods where their work authorization has expired and they’re not able to get it renewed. That makes life more impossible for asylum seekers to be able to support themselves and their families.” Kizuka said. This gap in employment authorization could make it even harder for vulnerable immigrants to survive financially while they navigate the lengthy and often unpredictable asylum process.
In addition to shortening work permit durations, the Trump administration has also paused the processing of immigration benefits for individuals from 19 countries deemed “high-risk,” including Afghanistan, Venezuela, and Sudan. This includes delays in applications for green cards, work permits, and other immigration benefits. While the administration insists that these measures are necessary to ensure national security, critics argue that they unfairly target specific groups of immigrants, many of whom have already undergone extensive background checks.
Furthermore, the pause in asylum applications has raised concerns that it could further exacerbate the backlog in the immigration system. As of June 2025, there were already over 1.5 million asylum applications pending, and the delay in processing could increase this number significantly.
