Trump Admin's Green Card Rule Update: Shorter Work Permits, Increased Uncertainty for Immigrants

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced significant changes to Green Card applications and work permits, effective December 5, 2025. The new rules aim to tighten immigration procedures, particularly for applicants from high-risk countries. A key change reduces the validity of employment-authorization documents (EADs) from up to five years to 18 months, forcing beneficiaries to apply for renewals more frequently. This will result in additional paperwork, costs, and uncertainty between renewals. Moreover, a recent memo instructs USCIS to conduct a comprehensive re-review of all immigrants from high-risk countries who entered the US on or after January 20, 2021. This includes Green Cards, EADs, travel documents, and other benefits. As a result, the agency has paused all pending immigration applications and adjudications affecting green-card requests, naturalizations, asylum applications, and visa processes from nationals of 19 non-European countries. The 'countries of concern' list includes Afghanistan, Somalia, Iran, Yemen, Libya, Haiti, Cuba, Venezuela, and others. Nationals from these countries face re-review even if their Green Cards were already approved under prior administrations. Immigrants are advised to plan for more frequent EAD renewals, with applications due 180 days before the EAD expires. Keeping supporting documents organized, setting aside money for increased filing costs, and notifying employers of these modifications are essential steps. However, the new rule may lead to a work-permit squeeze and economic uncertainty, particularly for industries reliant on immigrant labor. Employers may need to adjust their compliance procedures to account for the increased frequency of I-9 verifications. The reduction in EAD validity will sharply increase the risk of delays in processing, leaving immigrants without valid work authorization while waiting for renewal approval. As the new rule injects uncertainty into the ability of immigrants to maintain stable jobs and support their families, it remains to be seen how these changes will impact the community and the US economy as a whole.