Gothamist
A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.
Gothamist
Listen Live
News
New York officials try to speed up work permits for asylum seekers
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Sep 10, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
Never miss a story
Email address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .
Reece T. Williams/Gothamist
By
Arun Venugopal
Published Sep 10, 2022
Share
FacebookTwitterRedditEmail
We rely on your support to make local news available to all
Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
New York City officials are pushing the federal government to make it easier for asylum seekers to work legally in this country, but experts say an enormous backlog in applicants awaiting work permits could complicate that task.
Councilmember Gale Brewer wrote to Ur M. Jaddou, director of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, urging USCIS to clear the backlog so that asylum applicants can find jobs “as quickly as possible.”
“As of August 25, 2022, New York City has received over 7,300 individuals seeking asylum,” wrote Brewer. “I greeted asylum seekers at the Port Authority Bus Station, welcoming them to New York City. I can assure you that they are ready and able to work.”
In an interview with Gothamist, Brewer said she’d heard from employers in the retail and restaurant sectors, who were looking to hire potential workers.
The economy is ready for these workers. They just need the working papers.
City Councilmember Gale Brewer
“The economy is ready for these workers,” said Brewer “They just need the working papers.”
Brewer also said she’d been in conversation with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who she said expressed interest that some asylum applicants “go to other parts of the state.”
Gillibrand’s office did not confirm the senator’s comments, and it’s uncertain that the federal government will respond.
By some accounts, delays by USCIS have caused problems for elected officials across the country, as they respond to concerns from constituents, as well as employers who depend on immigrant labor and are struggling to recruit workers in a tight market.
Rep. Adriano Espaillat, D-N.Y., told Roll Call that his office had seen an 85% increase in casework related to USCIS over the last five years, and expressed frustration that cases were allowed to “drag on in perpetuity.”
Ben Simpson, a senior associate at Cohen Forman Barone law firm who specializes in immigration law, said the backlog of asylum applicants who sought work authorizations ran into the “tens of thousands,” a problem that stemmed in part from the shutdown of offices during the pandemic as well as “resource allocation” within the federal government.
“It's an enormous problem across the board with USCIS,” said Simpson.
A spokesperson for USCIC did not respond to questions about the backlog and attempts to quicken work authorizations.
Tagged
new york city
economy
news
Arun Venugopal
Arun Venugopal is a senior reporter for the WNYC and Gothamist Race & Justice Unit who focuses on issues of race and bias in our region. His reporting also tackles the topics of immigration, faith, and inequality. Arun serves as the regular fill-in host of the station's "U.S. of Anxiety" program. Arun was the creator and host of Micropolis, a series about race and identity. He is a contributor to NPR's Morning Edition and All Things Considered. He has appeared on PBS Newshour, On the Media and Studio 360, and has been published in The Guardian, The Wall Street Journal and Salon. He also frequently serves as an emcee and moderator of panel discussions on race, religion, and identity issues and has been a guest host of NPR's "Fresh Air." He lives with his family in Queens.
Read more
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
MORE news
Early Addition: Spy magazine is doing a Substack pop-up
Because the "Irony Epidemic" is hitting inboxes in honor of Spy's 40th anniversary, here are your early links: West Village gated school street, Trump still promising $5,000 checks, butter is in and more.
By
James Ramsay
Published Oct 6, 2026 at 8:57 a.m. ET
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
News
Bronx woman found dead and infant in critical condition after balcony fall, NYPD says
Police say it's still unclear whether the pair jumped, fell or were pushed.
By
Brittany Kriegstein
After Trump defunding, thousands losing rental assistance in NYC may finally have relief
By
David Brand
Blind man dismissed from grand jury duty can sue NY for discrimination, judge rules
By
Samantha Max
Gatorade recall affects drinks sold in New York and New Jersey
By
Giulia Heyward
Never miss a story
Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.
Sign upEmail address
By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .