Bill > A00278

This bill creates the "New York Emergency Expedited Temporary Work Permit Act" to address challenges faced by asylum seekers in obtaining work authorization. The legislation establishes a state-level program that allows asylum seekers residing in New York to apply for and receive temporary work permits within 45 days of application, at no cost, with permits valid for 18 months and renewable. The bill recognizes that current federal immigration laws create significant barriers for asylum seekers, who must typically wait 150 days to apply for work permits and then face processing times of 5-14 months, which can force them into undocumented and potentially exploitative work situations. The legislation amends existing labor, executive, and civil service laws to: define asylum seekers broadly to include those in the process of filing for status, prohibit discrimination against asylum seekers in employment, and allow civil service commissions to appoint asylum seekers with state-issued work permits. The program is designed as a temporary measure, set to expire two years after implementation, and aims to provide a state-level solution to federal immigration processing delays by helping asylum seekers legally support themselves and their families while their immigration status is being determined.

Labor and Employment

https://www.nysenate.gov/legislation/bills/2025/A278