New Rules for Work Permits: What's Changing and Why?

The U. S. government has decided to shorten the time work permits last for certain immigrants. This includes refugees, people seeking asylum, and others who are legally protected in the U. S. The new rule means these permits will only be valid for 18 months instead of the current 5 years. This change is part of a bigger effort to make immigration processes stricter.

Government's Justification

The government says this change will help them check on immigrants more often. They point to a recent attack in Washington, D. C. , where two National Guard members were hurt. The person responsible for the attack was an Afghan national who came to the U. S. under the previous administration. The government argues that shorter work permits will help ensure public safety.

Who is Affected?

This new policy will affect people who apply for work permits after December 5th. It also applies to those who already have pending applications. The government has also frozen all asylum requests and paused visa applications for Afghan nationals. Additionally, they have halted all legal immigration cases for nationals of 19 countries listed on the travel ban.

Criticism and Support

Critics might argue that this change could make life harder for immigrants who are already going through a long process. The backlog of cases means it can take years to get a decision on asylum or permanent residency. Shorter work permits could add more stress and uncertainty to their lives.

Supporters of the new rule believe it will help the government keep better track of immigrants. They argue that more frequent checks are necessary to prevent potential threats. However, it's important to consider the impact on individuals who are simply trying to build a better life in the U. S.