Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) today welcomed U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement of her Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, bipartisan legislation that reduces the current 180-day waiting period for work authorization eligibility to 30 days, allowing an asylum seeker to apply for authorization as soon as the asylum claim is filed. In a letter to Members of Congress, the Chamber said action on Pingree’s bill—as well as 15 other bipartisan bills—would be “a good start” to making “meaningful progress to secure America’s borders and modernize the broken immigration system.” Pingree’s bill would also eliminate the cumbersome 2-year renewal schedule. The bill makes no changes to law or regulation relating to the asylum process, but would have a significant impact on new asylum seekers in Maine—allowing them to gain work more quickly, become self-sufficient through the process of establishing roots in their new community, and contribute to our economy.
“My bipartisan bill is a commonsense solution that gives asylum seekers an opportunity to live a safe, fulfilling life while giving our economy the boost it so desperately needs,” said Pingree. “It’s my hope that the U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s endorsement will spark immediate action among my colleagues to take up this important bill. Our communities, local governments, small businesses, and new neighbors are counting on us.”
Under a federal law passed in 1996, asylum seekers are required to wait at least half a year...
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