Trump administration plan could restrict work permits for asylum seekers for years - Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
by Andrea CastilloFebruary 20, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
The Trump administration has proposed a new regulation that would significantly delay work permits for asylum seekers in the United States. Under the plan, the waiting period for asylum seekers to apply for work permits would be extended from 150 days to one year. Advocates warn that this could effectively pause work permits for years, causing economic harm and forcing legally working immigrants out of their jobs. The regulation aims to halt new work permit applications when processing times exceed 180 days, which USCIS predicts could lead to an indefinite suspension of such permits.
This policy change aligns with broader efforts by the Trump administration to restrict humanitarian benefits and limit legal immigration. For instance, the Department of Homeland Security has sought to terminate Temporary Protected Status (TPS), which provides work permits and deportation protection for hundreds of thousands of immigrants. Additionally, a recent memo authorized detaining refugees who have not filed applications for lawful permanent residence after their first year
Verticals
newscalifornia
Originally published on Los Angeles Times on 2/20/2026