For Immediate Release       Contact: Dan Gordon, 202-383-5996
Sept. 6, 2019

Anticipated Proposed Rule Would Undermine U.S. Workforce

WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expected to issue a proposed rule Monday that would impact asylum seekers’ ability to work legally in the U.S. — and employers’ ability to fill crucial jobs.

The rule would eliminate a requirement that USCIS process initial work permit applications by asylum seekers within 30 days, potentially leading to lengthy delays in work authorization.

“This proposed rule would impact asylum seekers’ ability to work legally and has the potential to drive people to work under the table,” said Dan Kosten, Assistant Director of Policy and Advocacy for Skills and Workforce Development at the National Immigration Forum.

“The rule could result in millions of dollars of lost wages, with a corresponding significant loss in federal and state tax revenue. In a very tight labor market, it would further shrink the pool of available workers. Simply put, this will have a sizeable negative impact on asylum seekers and Americans alike.”

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