The administration of Donald Trump is contemplating a new regulation that would significantly restrict access to work permits for asylum seekers, in a new effort to tighten the U.S. immigration system.
According to officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed to CBS News, the government is working on a regulation that would indefinitely suspend the issuance of new work permits for those with pending asylum applications.
This would break with a policy in place since the 1990s, which allows applicants to obtain a work permit if their case has been unresolved for at least 180 days.
The measure would also extend the mandatory waiting time to obtain a permit from the current 150 days to a full year after the application is submitted.
Additionally, it requires that the government resolves a significant number of pending asylum cases, which is complicated by the backlog of over 1.5 million applications with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and another two million in immigration courts.
A blow to thousands of migrant families
The proposal has raised alarm among advocates for migrant rights. Experts warn that, if approved, the regulation would force thousands of people to work in the informal economy, exposing them to exploitation and increasing the risks of deportation.
Another step toward the closure of the asylum
This measure would be the most recent in a series of actions by the second Trump administration for those seeking refuge, based on claims of alleged threats to national security.
In January, Trump issued an emergency order allowing the expedited expulsion of the majority of migrants at the border, citing an alleged "invasion," which has been legally challenged by advocacy groups.
The proposal also recalls a rule from 2020, during Trump's first presidency, that extended the waiting period for work permits to a year and imposed new restrictions.
Although the DHS has not officially confirmed the measure, nor is there a set date for its announcement, the message is clear: the Trump administration intends to drastically reduce the asylum system for migrants, without considering the humanitarian cost of that decision.
Work permits revoked for Cubans with CBP One
Thousands of people who entered the United States through the CBP One app, designed to manage the flow of individuals at the southern border, have received notifications from the federal government informing them of the imminent revocation of their work permits.
The massive cancellation of work authorizations issued through the CBP One program hits migrants hard, especially Cubans who arrived on parole and were hoping for a safe way to settle in the country.
U.S. Supreme Court allows Trump to revoke humanitarian parole
The Supreme Court of the United States authorized last Friday the administration of Donald Trump to revoke the humanitarian parole granted to more than 500,000 migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Nicaragua, and Haiti, in a decision that could trigger the mass expulsion of hundreds of thousands of people currently with temporary legal status in the country.
With a brief yet impactful order, the court granted an emergency request from the Secretary of Homeland Security, Kristi Noem, to immediately terminate the program established by Joe Biden in 2022, which allowed migrants from those four countries to enter the United States under certain conditions, live legally, and work for two years.
The decision had the dissenting vote of liberal justices Ketanji Brown Jackson and Sonia Sotomayor.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Immigration Restrictions of the Trump Administration
What are the new restrictions imposed by the Trump administration on asylum seekers?
The Trump administration plans to indefinitely suspend the issuance of new work permits for asylum seekers with pending cases. In addition, the mandatory waiting period to access a permit would be increased from 150 days to a full year after the application is submitted. This measure aims to tighten the U.S. immigration system and could force thousands of people to work in the informal economy.
What impact will the revocation of humanitarian parole have on Cuban migrants?
The revocation of humanitarian parole will affect more than 530,000 migrants, including about 110,900 Cubans who legally entered the U.S. under this program. They will lose their legal status and work authorization, which could lead to massive deportations. Cubans could use the Cuban Adjustment Act to regularize their status, but many have not yet completed this process.
What does the suspension of work permits for beneficiaries of the CBP One program mean?
The suspension of work permits for beneficiaries of the CBP One program will leave many migrants without legal means to support themselves. These permits were crucial for migrants while they applied for political asylum. Without them, if they continue to work, they could lose all chances of regularizing their status, exposing themselves to the risks of deportation.
How will the expedited deportation policy affect migrants in the U.S.?
The expansion of expedited deportation will allow authorities to swiftly expel migrants without the need for a court hearing. This measure will mainly affect those without a valid legal claim to remain in the U.S., including those with temporary permits that can be revoked. Operations have intensified, creating fear in migrant communities.
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