In an announcement that has crossover to the long-term care community and its potential workforce needs, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) said its updated Policy Manual includes more stringent rules for foreign-born workers.

Specifically, the updates reduce the “maximum validity period” for Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) for certain categories of foreign nationals. These changes and other related moves by USCIS bring the department into line with provisions included in President Trump’s “Beautiful” bill legislation.

USCIS said the reduced maximum validity periods for certain categories will result in more frequent vetting of foreign nationals who apply for authorization to work here.

For example, the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs is now 18 months from the previous 5 years for several categories of foreign nationals, such as those: 

• Admitted as refugees; 

• Granted asylum; 

• Granted withholding of deportation or removal; 

• Pending applications for asylum or withholding of removal; 

• Pending applications for adjustment of status under INA 245 (Green card regulations); and 

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

The new rules affect foreign nationals with applications for employment authorization that are pending or filed on or after Dec. 5, 2025, and based on any of the above categories.

The policy also updates the maximum validity period for initial and renewal EADs for those paroled as refugees from the end date of the authorized parole period, not to exceed five years, to the end date of the authorized parole period or one year, whichever is shorter.

Read more at https://tinyurl.com/4p2z5rts.

Comments or questions? Contact Patrick Connole at pconnole@parkplacelive.com.