The United States has reduced the validity period of work permits—officially known as Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)—for foreign refugees and asylum seekers. Previously valid for five years, the permits will now need to be renewed every 18 months.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), confirmed the change in a notice issued on Thursday. The new regulation applies to 19 categories of foreign nationals, including refugees, asylum applicants, and individuals protected from deportation to their home countries.
President Donald Trump, who took office on January 20 after winning the 2024 election, had pledged to tighten immigration controls. Following his inauguration, he signed several executive orders aimed at restricting both illegal and legal immigration.
Among the most notable measures is the significant increase in H-1B visa fees, which rose from $1,500 annually to $100,000. The H-1B program allows U.S. multinational companies to employ skilled professionals—such as IT experts, researchers, and scientists—from around the world.
The immigration crackdown intensified last week when two members of the U.S. National Guard were killed by an Afghan refugee in Washington, D.C. Following the incident, the U.S. suspended all immigration-related procedures for citizens of 19 countries, including Afghanistan, Myanmar, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Venezuela, and Yemen.
In a separate statement to Fox News on Thursday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said the department has decided to impose entry bans on citizens of more than 30 countries as part of broader national security measures
