By SUNTV Global Correspondent – February 20, 2026
In a bold move that could reshape U.S. immigration policy, the Trump administration has proposed suspending work permits for asylum seekers, potentially leaving thousands without legal employment for years.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced Friday that new asylum applicants could be barred from receiving employment authorisation until case backlogs drop to a manageable level — a milestone that current estimates suggest could take decades, or even more than a century. Officials noted, however, that administrative reforms could accelerate the timeline.
Under the proposed rule, work permits would no longer be automatic. DHS emphasized that authorisation “is not an entitlement” but a discretionary benefit. Migrants who entered the U.S. unlawfully would generally be ineligible for new permits or renewals, except in limited situations, such as reporting fears of persecution to border authorities within 48 hours of entry.
DHS defended the measure as a necessary step to curb abuse of the asylum system. “This rule would reduce the incentive to file frivolous, fraudulent, or otherwise meritless asylum claims,” officials said. The administration argues that allowing asylum seekers to work legally while awaiting decisions creates a “pull factor” that strains the system.
Critics, including immigrant rights groups and Democratic lawmakers, warn that the policy could exacerbate poverty and instability among vulnerable migrant communities, undermining long-standing U.S. asylum protections and international obligations.
The regulatory process will include a 60-day public comment period following the rule’s official publication in the Federal Register. Afterward, DHS may revise and finalize the measure — a process that could stretch months or even years.
This sweeping proposal marks one of the most significant overhauls of U.S. employment authorisation rules in decades, reflecting the Trump administration’s ongoing focus on tightening both legal and illegal immigration.
