KIND submitted comments urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to reject a proposed rule that would make it much harder for people seeking asylum—including unaccompanied children—to get work permits.
KIND explained that work authorization and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) are critical for helping eligible children and families support themselves safely, find lawful jobs, avoid trafficking and exploitation, and access basic services that often require government-issued ID. Under the proposed rule U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) would pause processing of most first-time work permit applications for asylum seekers until it can process all affirmative asylum cases within an average of six months—a goal USCIS estimates could take anywhere from 14 to 173 years to achieve. During that time, many asylum seekers would be left without access to stable income, identification, or essential services. The rule would also create additional barriers by requiring asylum seekers to wait a full year before applying for work authorization, adding new biometrics requirements, giving USCIS broad discretion to deny applications and renewals, and increasing work permit processing times from 30 days to 180 days.
These changes would leave children and families in prolonged financial insecurity, increase risks of trafficking and exploitation, and undermine protections Congress created for vulnerable children. The organization also warns that the rule could harm employers and local economies by limiting access to an available workforce.