(PartiallyPolitics.com) – New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York City mayor Eric Adams have both been calling for President Joe Biden to take action and allow the migrants who have been entering the country through the southern border to work. In the past year, more than 100,000 migrants have reached New York City through the Mexico border.
Both Democrats have repeatedly said during interviews and speeches that the migrants needed to be able to work. This is a message that many Democrat officials in different states and cities have also been pushing for, arguing that if migrants had an easier time finding work they would be able to pay for housing and food and would not be reliant on the government’s programs.
However, expediting work permits is a complicated and according to some experts possibly impossible process. Congress would need to reduce the mandatory waiting period, currently set at half a year, during which asylum seekers are not able to apply for work permits. Some Democratic leaders have argued though that the Biden administration could take action that would not require Congress to approve first.
Still, Biden is not only facing pressure from his own party but also from Republicans who have attacked him for being too soft on immigration. His administration however has pointed out that Congress has thus far been unable to pass a comprehensive change to the country’s immigration system which is why he has had to take the steps he has taken.
The Homeland Security Department sent out over 1 million text messages to those who are eligible to apply for work permits but has not indicated that the process will be expedited.
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