Asylum seekers work permit renewal

Asylum seekers work permit renewal

The American constitution allows immigrants who are seeking asylum to stay within the country while their application is being reviewed or pending. During this time they are allowed to apply for work permits which will allow them to legally obtain a job and in most states, a driver's license. 

Work permits typically last for 2 years after which it automatically renews itself for 180 days. Once this period is over, the asylum seekers must apply for renewals. The Department of Homeland Security's policy states that each work permit renewal will be adjudicated within 180 days. A lawsuit was filed last month by 5 asylum seekers saying that the government takes much longer than 180 days to renew the permits. As a result of this, most asylum seekers have expired work permits and lose employment opportunities. Emma Winger, the attorney for the plaintiffs has said in their lawsuit that one of them had to wait for a year to get his permit renewed. 

A federal judge ruled denying the request from the asylum seekers to fore the US Government to speed up the process. Winger said that the ruling is disappointing. Upon denying the injunction, U.S. District Judge Maxine Chesney wrote that the 180 day time period is not a mandatory rule imposed on the Department of Homeland Security but more like a goal set by the department for themselves. She said that while approving work permits "courts have found delays of several years are not unreasonable." The judge also denied the plaintiff's request for class certification, find each plaintiff would be examined individually for the harm caused by the delay. Wagner said that the case will nevertheless continue. 
Since the ruling, 3 out of the 5 plaintiffs have gotten their permits renewed. The government says that the delays are caused due to covid backlog. 

Source: Courthouse News Service

You might also like

For several reasons, the IT sector is appealing to job seekers. ...Read more

Despite the opposition of restaurant owners who worried it would raise customers' bills, California Governor Gavin Newsom on Monday signed a nation-leading law providing more than 500,000 fast food employees additional authority and rights. ...Read more

Demands for improved pay and workplace environments are coming from workers in California to New York. ...Read more

New graduates from institutions in Nigeria and other African nations have been made aware of job prospects by Microsoft. ...Read more

A mattress company is searching for a role where napping while working is not only acceptable but also required. 'Casper Sleepers' are being hired by Casper, a New York-based business established in 2014. ...Read more

Articles

Online interviews have been rising in popularity for quite some time now. It has increased by 49% s ...Read more

If you’re looking forward to shifting from remote to in-office work, here are a few ways to cope wi ...Read more

During an interview, you’re not only asked questions according to your credibility and qualificatio ...Read more

Robert Owen, a Welsh textile mill owner, social reformer, and labor activist came up with a slogan ...Read more