After months of ASAP member advocacy, the government extended work permits for asylum seekers and other immigrants. “It was so hard to understand why it takes so long,” said Gabriel Pedro, an ASAP member.

ASAP member Jairo Umaña reacted to members' work-permit win: “This will take some of that pressure off, to be able to sleep a bit better at night." ASAP members sued the government over delays in renewing work authorization.

"In order to be truly responsive, we have to let members chart our course and change their minds and take in different factors, and then redetermine what ASAP should be doing." -Swapna Reddy, ASAP Co-Executive Director.

ASAP member Guito Tatawho fled violence in Haiti and worked as a truck driver when his work permit expired due to processing delays. “I’m sitting at home doing nothing. My truck is just parked somewhere. I’m losing money.”

Jairo Umana, an ASAP member who will benefit from this victory, said, "It is stressful. You're always worried. Being out of work triggers a chain reaction: there's no income, there's no money for rent, there's no food."

This victory for ASAP members of extending work permits comes after ASAP members filed a lawsuit alleging unreasonable delays in processing work authorization renewals that have forced many applicants out of work.

ASAP member Maria Eran explains that since her work permit expired, she has not been allowed to drive and she has no income after being put on unpaid leave.

The Robin Hood Foundation has announced the winners of their FUEL for 50 initiative, including the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project.