This archive report was first published on 7 September 2019.
On September 6, 2019, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced a policy change that will delay the issuance of work permits for asylum applicants.
The current rule, enacted over 20 years ago, requires USCIS to adjudicate work authorization for asylum seekers within 30 days. The new policy eliminates this rule, resulting in work permits being delayed for many months, according to refugee advocates.
USCIS Acting Director Ken Cuccinelli stated that the change is necessary to allow for more thorough background screening, citing the need to safeguard the integrity of the nation's legal immigration system. He also claimed that removing the timeline will help reduce fraud.
However, refugee advocates have criticized the move, saying it will leave asylum seekers struggling to survive for even longer as they await decisions on their claims to refugee protection. Human Rights First Senior Director Eleanor Acer stated, “This rule would leave asylum seekers struggling to survive for even longer as they await decisions on their claims to refugee protection. This is yet another attempt by the Trump Administration to punish people seeking refuge in this country. It will leave refugees without the ability to feed and house their families. The United States should be protecting refugees, not thwarting their ability to survive,”
