July 2022 Update: In February 2022, a judge ruled that the Trump administration’s old work permit rules are illegal for all asylum seekers! However, we have heard from asylum seekers and immigration attorneys that both non-ASAP members and ASAP members are not receiving their initial work permits within 30 days. ASAP is fighting for our members’ initial work permits to be processed within 30 days! That is why we still recommend that ASAP members continue to submit ASAP membership cards with their work permit applications, even though the cards do not currently guarantee 30-day processing. We will keep our website updated as we learn more.
May 4, 2022 Update: Great news! Work permits for many asylum seekers are now valid for 540 days after the expiration date! Thank you to all of the ASAP members who fought for this change! You can read more at this page.
- The CASA lawsuit
- The Tony N. lawsuit
- How to apply for a work permit as an asylum seeker
- Sample work permit application
- Delays, denials, and other problems
- Other common work permit questions
- Updates for ASAP members about work permit advocacy
THE CASA LAWSUIT
CASA v. Mayorkas is a lawsuit brought by members of the Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) to fight for the ability of asylum seekers to work legally in the United States. (Previously, the case was called CASA v. Wolf. The title changed because there is a new President and new leaders of government agencies, but it is the same lawsuit.) Visit the CASA v. Mayorkas page to learn more about the case. Visit this update page to read the latest news for ASAP members.
THE TONY N. LAWSUIT
Tony N. v. USCIS was a lawsuit filed by ASAP members in November 2021 to force the U.S. government to process work permit renewal applications faster. To learn more about the lawsuit, visit the Tony N. case page. Visit this update page to read the latest news for members.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A WORK PERMIT
Asylum seekers are usually eligible to apply for a work permit 150 days after they file an application for asylum (Form I-589). Visit this how-to page for information on applying for a work permit as an asylum seeker.
SAMPLE WORK PERMIT APPLICATION
See an example of a work permit application based on a pending asylum application.
DELAYS, DENIALS, AND OTHER PROBLEMS
Many asylum seekers have had to wait more than 30 days to receive an answer from the U.S. government about their work permit application. Others have had their work permit applications returned. If any of these things have happened to you, visit this page to learn how you can take action.
OTHER COMMON WORK PERMIT QUESTIONS
Visit this page for more information about work permits. The page includes information about (1) the work permit rules, (2) initial work permits for asylum seekers, (3) work permit renewals for asylum seekers, (4) social security numbers, (5) delays, denials, and other problems, and (6) other kinds of work permits, not based on seeking asylum.
UPDATES FOR ASAP MEMBERS ABOUT WORK PERMIT ADVOCACY
ASAP members and ASAP staff are working together to fight for faster and easier work permits! Read the latest updates here.
