The administration of President Donald Trump has introduced a new immigration policy that shortens the validity period of work permits issued to refugees, asylum seekers, and other categories of immigrants. Under the revised rule, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now grant employment authorization documents valid for no longer than 18 months—significantly reduced from the previous five-year duration.

This adjustment affects not only refugees and asylum seekers but also immigrants awaiting decisions on asylum claims and permanent residency (green card) applications. These processes often stretch over several years due to extensive backlogs in the immigration system.

According to USCIS, the decision is aimed at improving routine security vetting by allowing more frequent background checks on work-authorized immigrants. The agency linked the move to a recent violent incident in Washington, D.C., where two National Guard members were attacked.

The alleged attacker, 29-year-old Afghan national Rahmanullah Lakanwal, arrived in the country in September 2021 and had his asylum request approved in April 2025, after Trump assumed office for a second term.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that the policy change is designed to ensure that individuals permitted to work in the U.S. do not pose security risks or hold extremist views. He stressed that last week’s attack demonstrated the need for more frequent and thorough screening procedures.

The new 18-month work permit limit will apply to all applications submitted after Friday, December 5, and to pending applications as of that date.

This development comes as part of a broader escalation in immigration enforcement following the deadly Washington, D.C. shooting that claimed the life of one National Guard officer and critically wounded another. In response, the Trump administration has temporarily frozen asylum processing, paused immigration and visa applications from Afghan nationals, and suspended all legal immigration procedures—including naturalization ceremonies—for citizens of 19 countries currently under the administration’s travel ban.

U.S. officials also confirmed that the government is weighing the expansion of the travel ban to include approximately 30 countries, citing heightened security concerns stemming from the recent attack.