New US Policy Restricts Work Permits for Asylum Seekers and Immigrants, Raising Concerns Over Green Card Backlogs

Published on December 7, 2025

In a move that has significant implications for asylum seekers, immigrants, and green card applicants, the Trump administration has reduced the validity period for work permits. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Thursday that employment authorisation documents (EADs) for asylum seekers and other immigrants with temporary legal status will now only be valid for 18 months, down from the previous five years. This decision is part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten immigration policies and scrutinize the entry of migrants into the United States.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated that the shorter validity period is intended to allow for more frequent vetting of applicants, emphasizing that working in the US is a privilege, not a right. This new policy has raised concerns over potential delays in the processing of work permits and the green card application process, which may result in individuals losing their right to work during application backlogs.

Key Changes for Immigrants: What Does This Mean?

The new policy will affect various groups, including employment-based I-485 applicants, who will now receive EADs that are only valid for 18 months instead of five years, starting from December 5, 2025. This change applies to individuals seeking asylum or temporary status in the US, meaning that they will need to renew their work permits more frequently, resulting in more paperwork and potential delays.

The shift is expected to create complications for those who are already in the process of obtaining a green card or facing extended delays in their application processing. Immigration attorney Emily Neumann highlighted that the delay in processing work permit renewals will lead to increased backlogs, making it more difficult for applicants to maintain continuous employment. She noted that the elimination of automatic EAD renewals for pending applications would further exacerbate the issue, causing applicants to lose work authorisation during renewal periods.

Impact on Green Card Applicants

For many green card applicants, this change could spell trouble. Delayed green card applications have been a significant concern for applicants, and the new policy could worsen this issue. Immigration attorney Steven Brown warned that individuals facing delays in their green card applications might now face even greater risks of losing their work authorisation due to the shortened validity of their work permits.

The extension of processing delays due to more frequent renewals could also prolong the time it takes for applicants to receive a decision on their status, further stretching USCIS resources. This added pressure on the system might reduce the agency’s efficiency in handling immigration requests, compounding the delays and increasing uncertainty for applicants.

Increased Scrutiny: Why is the Trump Administration Tightening the Rules?

The recent changes are part of the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to impose stricter scrutiny on immigrants and tighten restrictions on asylum seekers. These measures reflect the administration’s broader goal of limiting humanitarian benefits and curtailing immigration from certain regions.

Earlier this year, the administration announced plans to pause all immigration requests from 19 countries included in a summer travel ban, which affects nations like Afghanistan, Myanmar, Haiti, and Sudan. The US is expected to expand this list to about 30 countries. This pause includes not just asylum applications but also other requests, which will add another layer of complexity to the immigration process.

In response to the shooting incident involving an Afghan national in Washington DC, President Trump stated that he would seek to “permanently” pause migration from “all Third World Countries,” further escalating the administration’s crackdown on immigrants from certain regions.

Effects on Work Visa Applicants

While the new policy will not directly affect foreign workers, including those on H-1B visas, who receive work authorisation automatically through their visa status, the changes still impact other immigrant groups. Asylum seekers and applicants for temporary legal status will now be required to renew their work authorisation more often, leading to additional delays and potential interruptions in their ability to work.

Earlier this year, the Trump administration proposed introducing a $100,000 application fee for H-1B visa holders, adding to the strain on work visa applicants. The combination of the shortened work-permit validity and potential fee increases creates a challenging environment for foreign workers and asylum seekers who are already dealing with lengthy processing times and shifting immigration policies.

Will Delays Get Worse?

The delay in processing immigration petitions, work permits, and other applications has already reached a 10-year high. USCIS has shifted more of its resources toward enforcement rather than processing cases, leading to even slower processing times for asylum seekers, green card applicants, and other immigrants.

According to USCIS data, case completion rates through the third quarter of 2025 remain below the levels seen during the Biden administration. The shorter validity for work permits is likely to exacerbate these delays, as applicants will need to reapply more frequently. The resulting backlog could leave applicants without employment authorisation if their cases are delayed further.

Immigration attorneys and advocates warn that the new policy will lead to even greater strain on an already overburdened immigration system, increasing the uncertainty and stress for applicants who are already waiting for long periods to receive decisions on their cases.

Conclusion: A Growing Challenge for Immigrants

The Trump administration’s decision to reduce the validity of work permits for asylum seekers and temporary immigrants marks another step in its broader effort to increase scrutiny on immigration. This change, coupled with the elimination of automatic EAD renewals and the potential for increased backlogs, will create additional challenges for immigrants who rely on work authorisation while waiting for their green cards or asylum claims to be processed.

While foreign workers on H-1B visas may be unaffected by the new policy, many asylum seekers and green card applicants will now face even longer waiting periods, further complicating their ability to live and work legally in the US. As the USCIS struggles to keep up with a rising volume of cases and delays continue to mount, the impact on immigrants’ livelihoods and futures remains uncertain.

Table: Impact of Work Permit Validity Change

As this new policy unfolds, it will undoubtedly shape the future of immigration in the United States, creating greater obstacles for immigrants already facing an uncertain path to legal residency. The longer-term consequences of these changes remain to be seen, but one thing is clear—immigrants will be required to navigate even more bureaucratic hurdles in their pursuit of the American dream.