USCIS strengthens screening of alien workers

In a press release, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services updated (USCIS) its Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for certain categories of aliens.

- Atty. Marco F. G. Tomakin

This update also incorporates changes to EAD validity periods made by recent legislation to ensure proper vetting and screening of aliens. The reduced maximum validity periods for certain categories will result in more frequent vetting of aliens who apply for authorization to work in the United States. Vetting an alien more often will enable USCIS to deter fraud and detect aliens with potentially harmful intent so they can be processed for removal.The maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs will be changed from five years back to 18 months for several categories of aliens:

• Aliens admitted as refugees;

• Aliens granted asylum;

• Aliens granted withholding of deportation or removal;

• Aliens with pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal;

• Aliens with pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245; and

• Aliens with pending applications for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or relief under the Nicaraguan Adjustment and Central American Relief Act.

This change affects aliens with applications for employment authorization that are pending or filed on or after Dec. 5, 2025, and based on any of the above categories.