United States President Donald Trump has proposed a sweeping new immigration rule that could suspend work permits for asylum seekers for extended periods, marking one of the most significant changes to asylum-related employment authorisation in decades.
The proposal, released Friday by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would halt the issuance of work permits for new asylum applicants until average processing times for certain asylum claims fall to 180 days or less.
Based on the current backlog, DHS estimates it could take anywhere from 14 to 173 years to reach that benchmark.
However, the department noted that administrative reforms and efficiency improvements could potentially shorten the timeline.
In a statement, DHS said the rule, if finalised, would reduce incentives for filing “frivolous, fraudulent, or otherwise meritless” asylum claims.
The agency added that employment authorisation is not an entitlement but is granted at the discretion of the DHS secretary.
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, torture, or had another urgent reason for crossing unlawfully.
The measure forms part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to tighten both legal and illegal immigration controls.
Trump, who returned to office in 2025, campaigned on a platform portraying immigrants and asylum seekers as criminals and economic burdens claims critics argue are not supported by evidence.
Immigrant advocacy organisations and several Democratic lawmakers have condemned the proposal, saying it undermines longstanding U.S. and international asylum protections.
The rule will be open to public comment for 60 days after its formal publication in the Federal Register on Monday.
The regulatory process could take months or years before the measure is finalised, and legal challenges are widely expected
