US President Donald Trump's administration has drastically reduced the validity period for work permits issued to refugees, asylum seekers, and other migrants. The new rule now limits work authorization to just 18 months from the date of issuance, a significant cut from the previous five-year term.
The move follows a flurry of immigration-related actions taken by the administration in recent days. On Tuesday, it halted immigration applications for citizens from 19 countries already subject to travel restrictions, citing national security concerns as justification. The latest change is seen as part of an ongoing crackdown on migrants, with Trump vowing to "permanently pause migration" from certain nations.
The decision was cited by Joseph Edlow, director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who claimed that the shortened work permit validity will help prevent migrants from threatening public safety or promoting anti-American ideologies. Edlow pointed to the November 26 shooting in Washington D.C., where two National Guard members were shot by an Afghan man who entered the country through a resettlement programme, as evidence for the need for more frequent vetting of migrants.
The change affects not only refugees and asylum seekers but also those whose deportation has been suspended. The move is seen as a further step in Trump's efforts to limit migration and restrict access to employment opportunities for migrants. Critics argue that such measures are overly broad and could have unintended consequences, including driving migrants underground or forcing them into the shadows.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions over immigration, with some hailing it as a necessary measure to ensure national security, while others see it as an attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in the asylum system for political gain. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Trump's administration is determined to crack down on migration, and work permits will be at the forefront of that effort.
The move follows a flurry of immigration-related actions taken by the administration in recent days. On Tuesday, it halted immigration applications for citizens from 19 countries already subject to travel restrictions, citing national security concerns as justification. The latest change is seen as part of an ongoing crackdown on migrants, with Trump vowing to "permanently pause migration" from certain nations.
The decision was cited by Joseph Edlow, director of US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), who claimed that the shortened work permit validity will help prevent migrants from threatening public safety or promoting anti-American ideologies. Edlow pointed to the November 26 shooting in Washington D.C., where two National Guard members were shot by an Afghan man who entered the country through a resettlement programme, as evidence for the need for more frequent vetting of migrants.
The change affects not only refugees and asylum seekers but also those whose deportation has been suspended. The move is seen as a further step in Trump's efforts to limit migration and restrict access to employment opportunities for migrants. Critics argue that such measures are overly broad and could have unintended consequences, including driving migrants underground or forcing them into the shadows.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions over immigration, with some hailing it as a necessary measure to ensure national security, while others see it as an attempt to exploit vulnerabilities in the asylum system for political gain. As the debate rages on, one thing is clear: Trump's administration is determined to crack down on migration, and work permits will be at the forefront of that effort.
! I mean, 18 months? That's not even enough time for someone to get their life back on track after fleeing a war-torn country or escaping persecution. And what about all the people who are just trying to contribute to society and make a living? It's like they're assuming that all migrants are somehow gonna be a threat to public safety... that's just not true 
. I think this is a classic case of xenophobia in action, and it's gotta stop! We need more compassion and understanding here, not more fear-mongering 
.
i feel so bad for these people who are just trying to make ends meet...
might lead to more unemployment for native workers and less opportunities for immigrants who really need 'em 
... 18 months for a work permit? That's super tight! I think it's gonna cause so much stress for people who are already going through some serious stuff. They're just trying to start fresh and build a life, but now they're gonna have to worry about their employment every 1.5 years 
️... what if they can't find a new job or make ends meet? That's not fair 
. And what's with the vetting process? Can't we just trust people to come here and contribute to society? 
. I hope the administration thinks about the human impact of these changes 
...
Let me draw a simple diagram of what's happening:
. What if people are scared to apply for asylum because they're worried about being deported or having their work permits revoked? It's like, the US is supposed to be a land of opportunity, but now it feels like a place where people are constantly on edge 
.
Is it really that hard to vet people properly in the first place? It feels like they're just using this as an excuse to discriminate against certain groups. And what about all these 'anti-American ideologies' that Edlow keeps talking about? That sounds like a pretty vague and suspicious justification if you ask me.
It's just so unfair, especially when you consider the fact that some of these folks are already in the country and have been living there for years without any issues. And what about all the people who can't even get their applications in on time because they're stuck in limbo? 
This new rule is just gonna push more people into the shadows, like my friend said. What's the point of that? 
. I mean, come on, an 18-month limit for work permits? That's just gonna push people into the shadows and make 'em more desperate, you know? 
... anyway, I guess we can expect a lot more of this sorta thing from the Trump administration 
. I mean, who wants to take any chances with national security? 
. What's the alternative, just letting people slip through the cracks and hope for the best? 
.