Asylum seekers flee their countries under the worst conditions with the hope of finding refuge in the United States. Their primary goal is to ensure their family’s safety, find work and start creating a new life.
Unfortunately, the current administration is making that more challenging. They are currently trying to create legislation that would prevent asylum seekers from finding employment.
Proposed changes
Under the current rules, U.S. immigration can grant work permits to an immigrant who has waited at least 180 days for asylum. Therefore, the individual can apply for work authorization 150 days after filing their asylum application. After another 30 days, the immigrant would be eligible.
The proposed regulations would impose stricter limits on an asylum seeker’s eligibility. One possible change would be to increase the waiting period for work authorization. The other change would make the eligibility criteria even more stringent, potentially excluding people whose applications are still in the early review phase.
Placing these restrictions on asylum seekers could result in thousands of them being without the authorization to work legally in the United States. This leaves very few options for supporting themselves and their families, possibly resulting in homelessness and food insecurity.
Many asylum seekers arrive in the United States with limited resources. The inability to work affects their dignity and independence during a time when they need to rebuild their lives after leaving a life filled with trauma and hardship. A work permit is a lifeline that can give them access to housing and healthcare.
Asylum seekers aren’t the only ones impacted by these proposed regulations. Immigrants, including asylum seekers, fill the gaps of labor shortages in industries such as agriculture, construction and healthcare. In 2022, immigrants contributed $2.2 trillion to the United States economy.
Economists and immigration advocates agree that such regulations would be counterproductive for the asylum seeker and the economy. Legal experts state that they would be in contrast to our obligations under the 1951 Refugee Convention. Potential changes to the work authorization requirements for asylum seekers should be closely monitored, as those affected may require legal guidance.