Trump Proposes Rule to Suspend Work Permits for Asylum Seekers for Years

The administration of United States President Donald Trump has proposed a new regulation that could suspend work permits for asylum seekers for an extended period, marking one of the most significant shifts in asylum-related employment policy in decades.

The draft rule, published on Friday by the US Department of Homeland Security, seeks to pause the issuance of work permits for new asylum applicants until average processing times for certain claims fall to 180 days or less.

Based on current backlog figures, DHS estimates that reaching that benchmark could take between 14 and 173 years, though the department noted that administrative improvements and efficiency measures could potentially shorten the timeline.

In a statement, DHS said the proposed rule, if finalised, “would reduce the incentive to file frivolous, fraudulent, or otherwise meritless asylum claims.” It emphasised that employment authorisation is granted at the discretion of the DHS secretary and is not an entitlement.

Under the proposal, migrants who entered the United States unlawfully would generally be barred from obtaining new work permits or renewing existing ones. Limited exceptions would apply to individuals who notified border authorities within 48 hours of entry that they feared persecution, faced torture, or had another urgent reason for crossing illegally.

The move is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to curb both legal and illegal immigration. Trump, a Republican who returned to office in 2025, campaigned on a platform that characterised immigrants and asylum seekers as criminals and economic burdens, claims that critics argue lack supporting evidence.

Immigrant advocacy groups and some Democratic lawmakers have condemned the administration’s hardline stance, warning that it undermines existing US and international asylum protections.

The proposed rule is set to be formally published in the Federal Register on Monday and will be open to public comment for 60 days. The regulatory process could take months or even years to conclude, and legal challenges are widely anticipated.