Asylum Seekers’ Work Permit Bids Must Be Processed in 30 Days (1)

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has to make a decision on asylum seekers’ work permit applications within 30 days of those applications being filed, a federal judge in Washington state ruled.

The agency also must give the court status reports every six months on its efforts to implement that mandate, Judge James L. Robart of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington said. Both of Robart’s orders were filed under seal July 26.

Under the law, those seeking asylum already have to wait 180 days after filing their asylum applications before asking for a work permit in ...