Refugees Int’l introduces Let Asylum Seekers Work Campaign

Refugees International is introducing Let Asylum Seekers Work Campaign to enable people who have pending asylum applications in the United States to access work permits in the shortest time possible.

In a statement titled ‘Introducing the #LetAsylumSeekersWork Campaign’ Refugees International said: “Earlier today, Refugees International and the Refugee Advocacy Lab joined with 40 local and national organizations to launch the #LetAsylumSeekersWork campaign. We are coming together with business leaders, faith leaders, local elected officials, and others across the country to urge Members of Congress to pass the bipartisan House Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act (ASWAA), which would bolster the workforce by allowing people who have pending asylum applications in the United States to access work permits sooner.

Why are we launching the #LetAsylumSeekersWork campaign?

When people seeking asylum come to the United States, they want to work and support themselves as they pursue a chance to rebuild their lives in safety

But a mandated 180-day waiting period to gain work authorization and other administrative and procedural obstacles mean that most asylum seekers cannot legally work for six months or more. This has devastating effects on people seeking safety, their communities, and the economy overall and is also a huge missed opportunity. As the we face workforce shortages across industries and across the country, preventing people from working quickly is a huge missed opportunity.

The ASWAA is a commonsense, bi-partisan bill that would allow asylum seekers to support themselves and their families sooner and at the same time fill needed jobs and be less reliant on local shelter and emergency services.
The legislation is a win-win-win for asylum seekers, communities, and businesses alike.

How can I get involved?
Let your Member of Congress know that you support letting asylum seekers work and want them to co-sponsor and support the House Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act. It just takes two minutes!