New Delhi, Dec. 5 -- The Trump Administration announced a major change to US immigration policy on Thursday (December 4), reducing the validity of work permits issued to certain noncitizens from five years to just 18 months. The move is part of a crackdown on immigration and is aimed at increasing vetting and screening of immigrants in the US.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) issued a change to its Policy Manual that limits the duration of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) for several categories of immigrants, including refugees, asylum seekers, and individuals with pending adjustment-of-status applications.

Director Joseph Edlow said, "Reducing the maximum validity period for employment authorization will ens...