President Donald Trump’s administration continues to implement strict immigration policies for non-citizens in the USThe US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) explained why it shortened work permits for foreign nationalsWilliam Kimani, a Kenyan living and working in the US, told TUKO.co.ke that the new policy will help Trump’s administration to vet foreignersSearch option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner 😉
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has shortened the validity period of Employment Authorisation Documents (EADs) from five years to 18 months for six categories of immigrants.
The US president Donald Trump is implementing new work policies for foreigners. Photo: William Ruto.
Source: FacebookPresident Donald Trump’s administration said on Thursday, December 4, 2025, that noncitizens working in the US will be subject to more regular background checks as a result of the shorter work-permit windows.
Why did the US cut immigrant work permit validity?Officials claim this will help identify fraud, security risks, and remove dangerous persons.
In a statement, USCIS director Joseph Edlow pointed out that the change impacts foreign nationals whose employment authorisation applications are pending or submitted on or after Friday, December 5, 2025.
“By lowering the maximum validity duration for employment authorisation, we can make sure that people who want to work in the US do not endanger public safety or spread dangerous anti-American beliefs. It is even more evident that USCIS has to regularly vet aliens (foreign nationals) following the attack on National Guard personnel in our nation’s capital by an alien who was granted entry by the previous government,” Edlow stated. Which categories of foreigners in the US will be affected?Those admitted as refugees.Foreigners who have been granted asylum.Foreign nationals who have been granted withholding of deportation or removal.Individuals who have pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal.Foreigners who have pending applications for the INA 245 adjustment of status.Individuals who have pending applications for relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act, suspension of deportation, or cancellation of removal.At the same time, certain parole and Temporary Protected Status (TPS) categories will be subject to a different set of restrictions mandated by the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which Trump signed into law this year.
Donald Trump said his policies are protecting Americans. Photo: Donald Trump.
Source: FacebookThese restrictions cap the validity of work permits at one year or the end of the parole or TPS period, whichever comes first.
William Kimani, a Kenyan living and working in the US, told TUKO.co.ke that Trump’s administration will use the new policy to assess people who are applying to renew their work permits.
“This will aid the US government in vetting those who want to renew their work permits and deny renewals more frequently for people who commit crimes while here as well,” he explained. Which countries did US block from green card and visa applications?In other news, the Trump administration suspended green card and visa applications from Somalia and 18 other countries, including Haiti, Eritrea, Sierra Leone, Togo, Sudan, Yemen, Laos and Burundi.
This comes as the country continued with its plans to limit the number of immigrants.
The nation also offered a KSh 129,300 bonus for illegal immigrants to self-deport.
Proofreading by Asher Omondi, copy editor at TUKO.co.ke.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
