In the wake of a tragic shooting incident involving two members of the National Guard in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump has intensified his administration’s scrutiny on foreign nationals entering the United States. This event allegedly involved an Afghan national and occurred shortly after revelations about Operation Allies Welcome, a migrant relocation program initiated during the previous administration.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow announced that effective immediately, work permits for certain immigrants will no longer be valid for five years but instead expire every 18 months. In a statement released Thursday, Edlow emphasized this change as part of enhanced vetting measures following the incident: “It’s even more clear now that USCIS must conduct more thorough evaluations of non-citizens.”
The agency stated these reduced validity periods form part of broader policy adjustments aimed at ensuring heightened security reviews for foreign nationals. Critics argue such measures could impact hundreds of thousands living in the country, with immigration advocacy groups expressing concerns about unintended consequences.
This adjustment to work permit duration comes after it was disclosed that the suspected shooter is an Afghan national linked to the Biden-era migration assistance program. The policy change represents a significant shift in U.S. immigration enforcement priorities amidst growing security concerns.
