Press Releases

Tonight, Congresswoman Chellie Pingree (D-Maine) accepted the Immigrant Legal Advocacy Project’s (ILAP) 2023 Policy Leader award in recognition of her work and leadership in Congress to speed up asylum seeker work authorizations. Pingree accepted the award at an event in Portland on Wednesday night, where she dedicated the award to her Portland-based constituent services team. 

“I’m incredibly honored to be given this award, and I thank ILAP for supporting my Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act. I cannot accept this award without recognizing my incredible constituent services team—Rona Sayed, Christina Starr, Dorian Cole, and Molly Doyle— who work day in and day out behind the scenes helping new Mainers navigate the complexities of our overcomplicated and burdensome immigration system. This award truly belongs to them,” said Pingree. “The workforce shortage problems we have been experiencing so acutely are not unique to our state. Across the country, asylum seekers are subject to lengthy work authorization waiting periods as businesses struggle to stay staffed and new Americans are left in limbo, barred by US law from earning a living. My bipartisan bill would correct the counterintuitive work authorization process with a commonsense solution, giving asylum seekers an opportunity to live a safe, fulfilling life while giving our economy the boost it so desperately needs. I’m hopeful my colleagues in Congress will soon take up my bill, and in the meantime, I’m thankful organizations like ILAP are helping support asylum seekers in Maine.”

“ILAP is proud to present our 2023 Policy Leader Award to Representative Chellie Pingree. For years, Representative Pingree has trailblazed and championed efforts to help asylum seekers access work permits earlier in the immigration process – a commonsense policy change which would translate to increased stability and security for vulnerable families while hugely benefitting Maine’s communities, businesses, and economy,” said Sue Roche, Executive Director of ILAP. “Over the past year, Representative Pingree made key changes to the language of her Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act aimed at reducing the time asylum seekers must wait for work permits, secured bipartisan support for the bill in the House -- an incredible feat in today’s political climate -- and raised awareness nationally about why this issue matters so much. ILAP looks forward to continuing to advocate for Representative Pingree’s Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act and efforts to let asylum seekers work! In addition to Representative Pingree’s crucial policy leadership in Washington, ILAP would like to thank Representative Pingree’s constituent services team who help ILAP’s clients and Maine immigrant communities navigate the labyrinth immigration system, day in and day out. These services help save lives, keep families together, help people secure work, and build a stronger, more prosperous Maine. ILAP applauds Representative Pingree and her whole staff for their tremendous commitment and exemplary dedication to immigrant rights and all of Maine.”

Pingree’s bipartisan Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act reduces the current 180-day waiting period for work authorization eligibility to 30 days, allowing an asylum seeker to apply for authorization as soon as the asylum claim is filed. The legislation would also eliminate the cumbersome 2-year renewal schedule. The bill makes no changes to law or regulation relating to the asylum process, but would have a significant impact on new asylum seekers in Maine—allowing them to gain work more quickly, become self-sufficient through the process of establishing roots in their new community, and contribute to our economy.

Click here to learn more about Pingree’s bill. 

###