The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a new policy reducing the length of validity for immigrant work permits from five years to just 18 months. The change affects asylum seekers, refugees, humanitarian cases, and immigrants waiting for green-card approval.
Under the new policy, work permits issued or renewed after the effective date will expire after 18 months, requiring more frequent renewals. Previously issued five-year permits remain valid until their original expiration.
Advocates warn the shorter validity could cause financial instability and employment disruption for many immigrants who rely on extended authorization while awaiting status updates. Employers may also face administrative burdens and uncertainty regarding workforce availability.
Government officials say the shorter permits will allow more frequent security and background reviews — a measure they describe as protecting national security in uncertain times.
As the policy unfolds, thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers brace for increased uncertainty, with many communities calling for clearer guidelines and support to avoid gaps in work authorization.
Published by Banx Network. This article is part of the Banx decentralized media programme, powered by the BXE token on the XRP Ledger.
