The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a rule aimed at reducing what it describes as widespread abuse of the asylum system by individuals seeking work authorization in the United States. According to DHS, applications for employment authorization tied to pending asylum claims have reached historic levels, contributing to a backlog of more than 1.4 million affirmative asylum cases currently pending before U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The agency argues that many applicants file meritless or fraudulent asylum claims primarily to obtain work permits, straining limited resources and overwhelming the system. If finalized, the rule would modify filing and eligibility requirements for employment authorization based on pending asylum applications, with the goal of discouraging frivolous claims and redirecting agency resources toward adjudicating legitimate cases and reducing the existing backlog. DHS states that the proposal aligns with President Trump’s Executive Order 14159, Protecting the American People Against Invasion, and is intended to strengthen vetting procedures and restore integrity to both the asylum and work authorization processes.