Trump Administration Unveils Sweeping New US Immigration Rules: Travel Bans, Visa Vetting, Work Permit & Green Card Freezes

Trump Administration Introduces Sweeping New US Immigration Rules

The Trump administration has recently rolled out a series of significant updates to U.S. immigration policy, largely influenced by the aftermath of a recent shooting incident in Washington D.C. While efforts to curb illegal immigration were already underway, the revelation of the DC shooting suspect's Afghan origin prompted an immediate and expanded suite of new measures.

Expanded Travel Bans Affecting Over 30 Countries

Earlier in the year, the administration had established full or partial travel restrictions on 19 nations. Countries facing a complete travel ban included Afghanistan, Chad, the Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Myanmar, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen. A partial ban was in place for Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela. Following the DC incident, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that this list would be expanded to encompass over 30 countries. The precise new additions have yet to be disclosed, but individuals from these nations intending to visit the United States will be directly impacted by these stricter rules.

Social Media Vetting for H-1B and H-4 Visa Applicants

Effective December 15, immigration officials will begin scrutinizing the social media profiles of applicants for H-1B visas and their spouses applying for H-4 visas. This policy, initially announced earlier, was solidified by the U.S. State Department. All applicants are now required to make their social media profiles public, allowing consular officers to review their posts and personal information. This measure primarily affects H-1B visa applicants and their spouses, a demographic largely comprised of skilled workers from India and China.

Work Permit Validity Reduced to 18 Months

A notable change includes the reduction of work permit validity for certain immigrants, slashing it from five years to just 18 months. This alteration mandates a more frequent re-vetting process for these individuals upon renewal. This policy change specifically targets:

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

It is important to note that this particular rule does not impact H-1B visa holders, as their status as specialty workers means they operate under different regulations and do not rely on these specific work permits for employment in the U.S.

Green Card and Immigration Freeze for Banned Nations

In a direct response to the DC shooting, all immigration requests – including visitors' visas, students' visas, and asylum applications – have been frozen for the same 19 countries previously identified on the travel ban list. This comprehensive freeze impacts anyone from these nations seeking any form of immigration to the United States.

Temporary Hold on Asylum Applications

Finally, the administration has placed all pending asylum applications on a temporary hold. This sweeping directive affects all asylum applicants from any country whose applications are currently awaiting a decision.

This series of aggressive immigration reforms reflects a hardened stance by the Trump administration on who can enter and remain in the United States, with a clear emphasis on national security and heightened scrutiny across various visa and immigration categories.