U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on Thursday, the 4th, that it will shorten the validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from five years to 18 months.

The agency stated that the reduced employment authorization period will lead to more frequent background checks for non-citizens working in the United States, claiming this will help detect fraud, identity security threats, and remove individuals who pose risks.

USCIS Director Joseph Edlow stated, "Shortening the maximum validity period of employment authorization will ensure that those seeking to work in the United States do not pose a threat to public safety or promote harmful anti-American ideologies." He added, "Following the incident where foreign nationals, whom the previous administration granted entry, attacked National Guard soldiers in the capital, it has become even clearer that USCIS must conduct frequent identity checks on foreign nationals."

Under the policy change, the five-year validity period introduced in 2023 for various categories will be replaced by the previous 18-month limitation.

The reinstated limitation applies to foreign nationals granted refugee or asylum status, as well as those granted deferral of removal or withholding of removal.

It also affects foreign nationals with pending asylum or withholding of removal applications, and those applying for adjustment of status. Individuals seeking deferral of removal, cancellation of removal, or relief under long-standing humanitarian programs will also be subject to the same regulations.

The shortened validity period will apply to all employment authorization applications filed on or pending after December 5, 2025.

U.S. Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that this change is intended to ensure regular review of applicants whose immigration cases are pending.

Separate limitations apply to certain parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) categories under the 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act,' signed into law by President Donald Trump this year, which restricts the validity period of employment authorization to one year or the termination date of parole or TPS, whichever comes first.

This includes foreign nationals paroled as refugees, individuals granted TPS, and applicants with pending TPS applications.

In 2024, there were court rulings related to the termination of the humanitarian parole program for certain countries (Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, Venezuela) (CHNV).

The same one-year limitation will apply to other groups of parolees, including spouses of entrepreneurs who received parole under the International Parole Program.

The program allows foreign entrepreneurs to temporarily reside in the U.S. to expand their businesses. U.S. Immigration Services (USCIS) stated that these regulations apply to all employment authorization applications submitted on or pending after July 22, 2025.

U.S. NNP=Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter / Special Correspondent NNP info@newsandpost.com