A group of New York representatives on Friday introduced a bill in Congress aimed at shortening the length of time asylum applicants must wait to legally work in the United States from 6 months to 1 month.
The legislation — dubbed the “Assisting Seekers in Pursuit of Integration and Rapid Employment (ASPIRE) Act” — was introduced by Congress Members Dan Goldman (D-Manhattan/Brooklyn) and Ritchie Torres (D-Bronx) as well as U.S. Senators Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY) and Senator Jeff Merkley (D-OR). They argue, in a release, that the current 180-day waiting period puts “undue strain” on migrants by forcing them to depend on government services until such time that they can work legally.
