04/21/2026
Hello friends in justice!
I've been alerted to this proposed change in federal regulations. It would gravely affect our asylum-seeking friends. In short: there are many whose "clock" was delayed because of lack of legal representation, and then due to the government firing of immigration judges. Now the government is proposing this ruling which makes it virtually impossible for asylum seekers to support themselves.
If carried out, the change would take effect in three days - April 24th. It would lengthen asylum waiting periods to 365 days, which is unsustainable.
There is a public comment period until Friday the 24th. it is my understanding that a determination will be made on the 24th....yes....this Friday. Unfortunately, there have been fewer than 5000 comments. This has not been well publicized.
Therefore, I'm sending this to you (and everyone I know who cares about justice.). Please share this email widely.
Action request: Please make a comment personally. Or - if you are a part of an organization affected by such rulings - make the comment on behalf of your group. Below you will find a brief description of the change and a link to submit a comment. If you would like sample verbiage for your comment, I provide a sample below.
Please make a public comment on the federal website and pass this along as you see fit. Your action will be a call for justice.
Thank you!
Monica Mackey
DETAILS HERE:
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to modify regulations governing applications for asylum and withholding of removal (asylum applications) and employment authorization based on a pending asylum application. The proposed rule would change filing and eligibility requirements for aliens requesting employment authorization and an employment authorization document (EAD) based on a pending asylum application. The changes include pausing acceptance of EAD applications from asylum applicants during periods when affirmative asylum average processing time exceeds 180 days, extending the waiting period to apply for employment authorization to 365 days, changing EAD application processing time requirements, and adding eligibility requirements.
Here is the link for comment: https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/02/23/2026-03595/employment-authorization-reform-for-asylum-applicants
Sample bullet points / verbiage:
"Extending the waiting period for asylum seekers to be able to work insures they will not contribute to the U.S. economy, nor will they be able to support themselves and their families (if that is the situation). This change sets up failure for individuals who have risked their lives to be in our country, and who desperately want to work to contribute and be independent. This change is an outrageous proposition, penalizing those who have done nothing wrong by seeking a safe place to live in a country they revere. I ask that you do not invoke this change in policy. It is cruel and harsh, and unnecessary."
Points to be made:
Lost contributions to the economy
Lost income taxes
Individual's desire for independence
Individual's desire to contribute to the U.S. society and "give back"
Inhumane
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposes to modify regulations governing applications for asylum and withholding of removal (asylum applications) and employment authorization based on a pending asylum application. The proposed rule would change filing and eligibility requirements...
