In a major change in America’s immigration system, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced that now the maximum validity period of Employment Authorization Documents (EAD) will be reduced. This decision will impact millions of Indian professionals and their families. The agency says that this change is necessary to strengthen security checks and detect potential risks.

USCIS said the new policy will allow for more frequent screening of people seeking permission to work in the US, to prevent fraud and to identify individuals with malicious intentions so that they can begin the process of removing them from the country.

People should not become a threat to public safety

Director Joseph Edlow linked the decision to public safety concerns. He said reducing the employment-permission period would ensure that people who want to work in the United States do not pose a threat to public safety and do not promote anti-national ideologies.

Foreign citizens should be checked frequently

Referring to a recent incident, he said that the person who attacked National Guard soldiers in Washington was allowed to come into the country by the previous administration. After this incident, it has become more important that foreign citizens are checked repeatedly. These changes directly impact several categories that are used by Indian citizens in large numbers, such as employment-based green card applicants and H-1B workers who are undergoing processing.

EAD valid for only 18 months instead of 5 years

Now according to the new policy, EADs given to refugees, asylum seekers, those seeking relief from removal process and those applying for Green Card (INA 245) were earlier valid for five years, but now it will be valid only for 18 months. The policy alert states that this rule applies to all applications pending or filed on or after December 5, 2025.

This change could create new concerns for Indian applicants who are already facing long waits for green cards for years. Many Indians rely on long-term EADs and advance parole documents to remain employed. The Indian expatriate community is the largest beneficiary of employment-based visas in the US. They will be most affected by this change.

Indians have been most affected by the strict steps taken by US President Donald Trump regarding the H1-B work visa program. Visa fees have been increased manifold. Amidst this tough stance of the Trump administration, billionaire businessman Elon Musk has praised Indians. He appreciated the cooperation of Indians in the development of America and also advocated continuation of the visa program.

Elon Musk, CEO of American aerospace company SpaceX, strongly supported the H1-B visa and said that America has benefited a lot from the talented people from India. He warned that it would be really bad for America if the visa program was scrapped. He said that America needs Indian workers today more than ever. Elon Musk admitted that outsourcing companies misuse the visa system. He said that this deficiency should be removed and not the visa itself should be stopped.

Elon Musk made this comment during an interview with investor and entrepreneur Nikhil Kamat on his podcast People By WTF. Musk said, ‘Yes, I think America has benefited a lot from the talented Indians who came to America… America has benefited immensely from the talent of India.’

Regarding H-1B visa, Elon Musk said that even though there has been some misuse of this work visa program, he strongly believes that it should not be stopped. He said, ‘It is right to say that… some outsourcing companies have abused the H-1B system and we need to stop this abuse, but I am not at all part of the ideology that this program should be closed. Some right wing people think so. I think they don’t understand that doing this would be really bad.

Elon Musk has said this at a time when America has started strictness on a large scale to prevent misuse of H-1B visas. American technology companies widely use this visa to employ foreigners. Indian professionals, especially technology sector workers and doctors, are among the largest groups of H-1B visa holders.

Elon Musk alleged that during the tenure of former President Joe Biden, there was large-scale illegal immigration, which created a negative impact. He said, ‘If there is a huge economic incentive to come to America illegally and get government benefits, then naturally people will try to come to America. This whole incentive structure was wrong.

When asked what is his message to the young entrepreneurs of India, Elon Musk said that he respects all those who want to create something. He said, ‘Aim to give more than what you want to get. If you want to create something valuable… provide useful products and services… then the money will come automatically.