Trump Administration Cuts Work Permit Duration for Asylum Seekers

The Trump administration has announced a significant reduction in the duration of work permits for asylum seekers and other foreign nationals in the United States. According to the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), work permits for individuals applying for asylum or humanitarian programs will now be valid for just 18 months, as opposed to the previous five years. This policy change was made public on December 5, 2025, in the wake of heightened security concerns following a violent incident involving an Afghan national.

USCIS Director Joe Edlow emphasized the need for this adjustment, stating, “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.” His remarks were made in light of the shooting on November 26, 2025, in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were attacked by Rahmanullah Lakanwal, a man who had previously entered the country under the Biden administration’s Operation Allies Welcome program.

The newly established timeframe for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) will impact those admitted as refugees, granted asylum, or given a withholding of removal order. Additionally, it will affect individuals with pending applications for asylum, withholding of removal, or adjustment of status. The changes apply to all applications filed on or after December 5, 2025.

This development follows a series of security-related incidents involving Afghan nationals, including the arrest of Mohammad Dawood Alokozay, who faced charges for making bomb threats in Fort Worth, Texas, and Jaan Shah Safi, accused of providing support to ISIS-K. Such incidents have prompted federal immigration officials to tighten processes, especially for individuals from countries regarded as “high-risk.”

In response to the recent attack, the Trump administration has implemented further restrictions on asylum applications for foreign nationals and suspended immigration processes for individuals from 19 countries. Edlow has asserted that the primary responsibility of USCIS is to ensure thorough vetting and screening of all individuals seeking entry into the U.S.

This latest move marks a continued shift in U.S. immigration policy, highlighting the administration’s focus on national security and public safety in the context of immigration and asylum processes. The implications of these changes will likely have significant effects on the ability of foreign nationals to secure work permits in the future and may influence broader immigration trends.