USCIS slashes work permit validity from five years to 18 months in major immigration policy shift affecting thousands of noncitizen workers across America.

The new rule, effective December 5, 2025, means more frequent renewals, longer backlogs, and a higher risk that applicants could lose their ability to work while waiting for approvals.

The Trump administration said it would reduce the period of time that work permits are valid for refugees, asylees and other immigrants granted legal protections in the U.S.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services decided to freeze immigration requests from 19 countries that the Trump administration deems “high risk” for national security reasons after an Afghan national critically shot two National Guard members in Washington,

On December 2, 2025, in response to the shooting of 2 national guardsman in Washington, DC by an Afghan national, USCIS issued a national security policy memo suspending the adjudication of petitions and applications for immigration-related benefits for those from 19 “high-risk” countries,

The administration said the change to shorter work-permit windows will force more frequent background checks on noncitizens working in the U.S., which could help identify security risks and remove potentially dangerous migrants.

Utah immigration lawyers report increased arrests at local USCIS office targeting those with minor infractions.

The rhetoric isn't just dehumanizing and xenophobic, advocates said. It also promotes false tropes. Bodies of research show that immigrants boost the U.S. economy by expanding the labor force, increasing consumer spending and starting new businesses. It also shows that they commit crimes at far lower rates than people born in the United States.

After a successful Green Card interview, Viktoriia was detained by ICE, leaving her family in turmoil. How does this affect our immigration system's integrity?

A former senior USCIS official has told Newsweek that the agency’s newly announced review of green card and other immigration applications could place a significant strain on resources and lead to widespread delays.