• A proposed rule may indefinitely pause work permits for asylum seekers.
• The waiting period for work permits would extend from 150 days to 365 days.
• Current processing times could delay resumption of work permits by up to 173 years.
• Critics argue the rule undermines asylum seekers’ rights and U.S. laws.
• The regulation is part of a broader effort to reduce immigration.

The Trump administration's proposal could lead to an indefinite halt on new work permits for asylum seekers, significantly extending the duration before applicants may apply for work authorization. According to the draft regulation from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the waiting period for applying for work permits would increase from 150 to 365 days. The proposed rule indicates that acceptance of work permit applications would pause if processing times exceed 180 days, potentially resulting in delays of at least several years, according to latimes and reuters.

Immigrant advocates, including Conchita Cruz of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project, argue the rule would exacerbate hardships for asylum seekers, hindering their ability to work legally in the U.S. Cruz stated, “Forcing individuals who are working and living in the United States legally out of their jobs is not only cruel, but it is bad policy.” She warns that such measures could harm U.S. families and the economy, echoing concerns raised by other critics who point out that the regulation might violate existing U.S. and international legal standards, as highlighted by channelnewsasia and reuters.

Furthermore, the administration claims the new rule aims to reduce legal and illegal immigration by creating stricter eligibility criteria for asylum-seeker work permits, describing these permits as discretionary rather than an entitlement. The regulation includes provisions that generally deny work permits to migrants who entered the U.S. illegally, with limited exceptions for those who report a fear of persecution soon after entering, which has raised concerns regarding the practical implications for many seeking asylum, according to reuters and channelnewsasia.