FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

March 12, 2022

MEDIA CONTACT: 

e: brian.phillips@mail.house.gov

c: 202.913.0126

Washington, D.C. — Today, Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke joined the entire New York City congressional delegation, led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Representatives Jerry Nadler and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, to send a letter to the Biden administration asking them to expedite work authorizations for asylum seekers. Many immigrants already in the U.S. are trapped in local shelters, unable to work legally for six months, due to a federal regulation which states that asylum seekers must wait 150 days to receive work authorization. The letter urges President Biden to eliminate the federal waiting period entirely, given the urgent need to grow the U.S. labor force, and to reduce the pressure on localities and charitable organizations serving asylum seekers following the expiration of Title 42. 

“A shortfall of immigrants due to our restrictive immigration policies worsens widespread labor shortages and hobbles the U.S. economy at a time when more than 10 million jobs remain unfilled. Cities and states across the country desperately need workers, and millions of people in this country deserve dignified labor and a chance at rebuilding their lives….Without work, many are forced to seek services from government and non-government groups, straining resources in a completely preventable manner,” wrote the members.

The letter was signed by the full New York City delegation – Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Representatives Nadler, Ocasio-Cortez, Meeks, Torres, Velazquez, Espaillat, Goldman, and Bowman.

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