US makes MAJOR changes to immigration rules, slashes work permit validity from 5 years to…, these people to be affected…

The Trump administration on Thursday announced major changes to immigration rules in the United States. According to the new regulations, the maximum duration of work permits that refugees and other legally protected immigrants have been drastically reduced from five years to eighteen months. This is viewed as one of the largest measures taken to tighten immigration rules.

What are the MAJOR changes in immigration rules?

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) made a statement indicating that these changes were put into place to enhance the amount of time between security reviews. According to the press release published by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the reduced maximum validity periods for certain categories will result in more frequent vetting of aliens who apply for authorization to work in the United States. Vetting an alien more often will enable USCIS to deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent so they can be processed for removal from the United States.

“Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorization will ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not threaten public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies. After the attack on National Guard service members in our nation’s capital 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,” said Director Joseph Edlow.

Who all are affected?

The maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs will be changed from 5 years back to 18 months for several categories of aliens:

• Aliens admitted as refugees;
• Aliens granted asylum;
• Aliens granted withholding of deportation or removal;
• Aliens with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal;
• Aliens with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245; and
• Aliens with pending applications for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.

The announcement also pointed to the attack on two Washington National Guard Members that occurred last week as another example of the need to have periodic screening processes conducted.

With the revised regulations, refugees and immigrants who are pending deportation protection and those pending an asylum decision or green card application will be eligible for Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for a period of 18 months. Previously, the validity period was five years.

An alternate set of alterations mandated by Administration Approved H.R. 1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act – limits work permits for Temporary Protected Status (TPS) holders, parolees, pending TPS applicants and related categories to no more than 1 year or less depending on the authorized stay of the individual. These changes take effect immediately for all pending and future Form I-765 applications filed on or after December 5, 2025.