The U.S. administration announced on Thursday a significant new restriction targeting refugees, asylum seekers, and certain migrant groups. President Donald Trump’s administration has reduced the maximum validity of work permits from five years to just 18 months, marking another step in its ongoing effort to harden immigration policies.
The decision comes only two days after the suspension of new immigration applications from citizens of 19 countries, reflecting a clear direction toward limiting legal pathways into the United States.
Shooting Incident Sparks Security Concerns
The administration has cited a recent incident in Washington to justify the move. On November 26, an Afghan man — who had been resettled in the United States following the U.S. military withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021 — opened fire on two members of the National Guard.
The widely publicized event has been seized upon as a trigger to rethink the issuance of work permits and to more tightly link them to national security assessments.
Security Narrative Piles Pressure on Migrants
Joseph Edlow, acting director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), defended the decision in a statement, saying:
“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 anti-American ideologies.”
However, rights advocates warn that thousands of refugees and asylum seekers may face growing instability, as frequent renewals mean more bureaucratic hurdles and prolonged uncertainty regarding their legal and professional status.
A Continued Clampdown on Immigration Channels
This latest measure confirms the Trump administration’s broader agenda of restructuring the U.S. immigration system by scaling back entry, residency, and employment opportunities — not only for undocumented migrants but also for those entering the country through legal humanitarian channels.
As political and legal debates intensify, the impact of these policies is expected to deepen in the months ahead, especially for vulnerable populations seeking protection and stability.
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