Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2022

Bill: 117-s-3665
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Collins, Susan M. [R-ME]
Introduced: 2022-02-16
Policy area: Immigration
Latest action: action_date: 2022-02-16
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S755)

Summaries:
action_date: 2022-02-16
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><b>Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2022 </b></p> <p>This bill directs the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide employment authorization for eligible asylum applicants. Currently, such individuals are not entitled to employment authorization but may be granted such by the Department of Justice. </p> <p>DHS must grant employment authorization to an asylum seeker (1) who is not in detention, (2) whose application for asylum has not been deemed frivolous, and (3) whose identity has been checked against certain databases. Such employment authorization shall last for one year and be renewable for one-year terms during the period necessary to adjudicate the applicant's asylum claim.</p> <p>The bill also shortens the waiting period for receiving employment authorization to 30 days from the filing of the asylum application.</p>

tv_txt: II 117th CONGRESS 2d Session S. 3665 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES February 16, 2022 Ms. Collins (for herself, Ms. Sinema , and Mr. King ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on the Judiciary A BILL To authorize certain aliens seeking asylum to be employed in the United States while their applications are being adjudicated.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act of 2022 . 2. Employment authorization for aliens seeking asylum Section 208(d)(2) of the Immigration and Nationality Act ( 8 U.S.C. 1158(d)(2) ) is amended to read as follows: (2) Employment authorization (A) Eligibility The Secretary of Homeland Security shall authorize employment for an applicant for asylum— (i) who is not in detention; (ii) whose application for asylum has not been determined frivolous; and (iii) with respect to whom the procedures required under paragraph (5)(A)(i) have been completed. (B) Application The Secretary may not grant employment authorization under this paragraph to an applicant for asylum who is not otherwise eligible for employment authorization until 30 days after the date on which the applicant filed an application for asylum. (C) Term Employment authorization under this paragraph— (i) shall be for a period of 1 year; and (ii) shall be renewable for additional 1-year periods while the applicant’s asylum claim is being adjudicated, including administrative or judicial review. .