Fill 1 Created with Sketch.
hamburger

Understanding Immigration Challenges: U.S. Asylum 101

Asylum: Work Authorization

The vast majority of asylum seekers want to work but face several challenges in this regard:

Limited Authorization

While waiting for their asylum applications to be processed, asylum seekers must first obtain authorization to work legally in the U.S. This process can be lengthy and complex, leaving many asylum seekers unable to work for months or even years.

Waiting Period

After submitting their asylum application, an asylum seeker must typically wait at least 150 days before they can apply for an employment authorization document (EAD). Processing times can vary and it can take many months or more than a year to obtain an EAD after applying for one. During this waiting period, asylum seekers may experience financial strain and uncertainty about their future, making it difficult to plan for employment or career advancement.

Limited Support Services

Asylum seekers often have limited access to support services such as job training, career counseling, and employment placement assistance. Without adequate support, they may struggle to navigate the U.S. job market and find opportunities.

Fear and Stigma

Some asylum seekers may face fear and stigma related to their immigration status, which can affect their confidence and willingness to pursue employment opportunities. Employers may also be hesitant to hire asylum seekers due to misconceptions or concerns about legal risks.

Expense

An EAD is only valid for a defined period of time and must be renewed regularly. Renewing a work authorization requires payment of a $410 filing fee, which is very expensive for most applicants, and backlogs in processing time can cause gaps in employment.

There is growing public support for policies that promote the economic empowerment and integration of asylum seekers. Polls have shown that a majority of Americans believe asylum seekers should be allowed to work while their asylum applications are pending. Many faith-based organizations, labor unions, business groups, and civil society organizations have also voiced support for policies that facilitate greater access to employment for asylum seekers.

Understanding Immigration Challenges: U.S. Asylum 101
What would you do if you had to leave everything behind?

By the end of 2025, more than 117.8 million people worldwide had been forcibly displaced by war, persecution, or human rights abuses — and 45 million of them are children.

They arrive in refugee camps and countries seeking safety and carrying little: legal papers, if they're lucky. A backpack. A child's hand in theirs.

What they carry that we can't see is heavier: fractured families, homes they'll never return to, professions they loved, friends and relatives they may never see again.

In a climate where immigrant stories are often ignored or twisted, we believe stories are a form of justice. When someone shares what they survived, they reclaim their voice. When we amplify it through film, photography, and advocacy, the world listens. Hearts soften. Policy begins to shift.

Because when a lawmaker sees a person instead of a statistic, and a neighbor understands instead of fears, rebuilding becomes possible.

Your support helps us share these stories where they matter most.

— Kristen Smith Dayley, Executive Director, Their Story is Our Story

Support Monthly Give Once
Add Impact to Your Inbox
Sign up for our emails to get inspiring stories and updates delivered straight to you.
Subscribe
© 2026 Their Story is Our Story Privacy Policy
Their Story is Our Story is a 501(c)3 Non-Profit Organization under the United States Internal Revenue Code. All donations are tax-deductible. Our tax identification number is 812983626.