This country is being invaded on multiple fronts. And something has to be done.
Now Homeland Security issued one order that put foreign migrants on notice.
DHS Tightens Work Permit Renewals with Mandatory Revetting Rule
The Department of Homeland Security’s U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will unveil a new regulation on October 29, 2025, mandating full background checks for all migrants renewing work permits, effectively reversing a Biden administration policy that permitted automatic extensions without vetting.
The change aims to close national security gaps while maintaining efficient processing for legitimate applicants, reflecting DHS’s balanced approach to immigration enforcement under Secretary Kristi Noem.
The rule targets Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), prized by migrants for unlocking legal jobs, Social Security numbers, driver’s licenses, and certain benefits. Eligible holders span spouses of guest workers to asylum-seekers, DACA recipients, and those under Temporary Protected Status.
USCIS Director Joseph Edlow emphasized the policy’s focus on thorough screening: “It’s a commonsense measure to ensure appropriate vetting and screening has been completed before an alien’s employment authorization or documentation is extended,” he said. “All aliens must remember that working in the United States is a privilege, not a right.”
Rollback Addresses Biden-Era Vulnerabilities and Recent Incidents
The Biden policy, implemented amid surging applications, granted a 540-day automatic renewal upon filing—tripling a prior 180-day extension—without verifying ongoing eligibility or criminal records.
USCIS reported 3.5 million initial EAD applications and 1.3 million renewals in fiscal 2024, compared to under 2 million total in 2020, straining resources and creating what officials call “unprecedented leniency.”
Noem’s interim final rule eliminates both extensions, requiring renewals to undergo complete revetting before approval. Processing times vary—from about one month for asylum-based initial EADs to over 10 months for deportation suspension cases—but DHS attributes faster timelines to Trump’s border security gains, which have eased the backlog.
“This attack by an alien against peaceful demonstrators highlights the critical need and urgency to ensure that aliens are not provided immigration benefits in the United States without thorough vetting and more frequent determinations of continued eligibility and, when applicable, determinations that the alien continues to merit a favorable exercise of discretion,” Noem stated in the Federal Register filing, referencing Mohamed Sabry Soliman’s alleged Molotov cocktail assault on a pro-Israel rally in Boulder, Colorado, earlier this year.
Soliman, who overstayed his visa but secured an EAD via a pending 2022 asylum claim and automatic renewal, exemplifies the risks. Similarly, Ian Roberts, the undocumented Des Moines, Iowa, schools superintendent arrested recently, had prior work authorization.
Noem noted the Biden team adopted the 540-day grace period after falling behind on checks, but argued it “provides a significant benefit to aliens without adequate vetting.” The rule spares initial EAD approvals, which always demand vetting, and advises timely filings to avoid gaps.
Interim Rule Takes Effect Immediately, Citing Security Imperative
As an interim final rule, the policy activates for applications filed on or after October 30, bypassing upfront public comment to avert a pre-rule filing rush and mitigate ongoing threats.
Noem justified the move by invoking the Colorado incident and potential for unchecked renewals to expose communities to risks. A standard comment period will follow, allowing stakeholder input.
The regulation aligns with Trump’s directive for rigorous alien screening, bolstering DHS’s core mission of safeguarding the nation without unduly burdening compliant migrants or employers.
While applications spiked under Biden’s enforcement stance, officials credit reduced illegal crossings for enabling swifter, more secure processing—ensuring work permits serve as a vetted pathway to contribution, not exploitation.
