CASA v. Mayorkas: Defending initial work permit access

The CASA v. Mayorkas lawsuit ended because the government agreed to everything that ASAP and our members requested, including working to ensure 30 day processing of initial work permit applications.

“I feel very happy, because the outcome of this lawsuit was not only a victory for me, but for many others. I made the decision to participate when I found out that those of us arriving in the United States would not have been able to apply for a work permit until after a year because of the work permit policy. When you arrive in this country, it is very difficult to find a place to live and a way to get around. And with two children, you need to work. I had to be able to feed my kids. So I am very happy with the outcome of this lawsuit. I am also very proud that ASAP has grown so much and now serves more than 500,000 asylum seekers as members.”

— ASAP member

Case Documents

• July 21, 2020: Plaintiffs file civil complaint in the District of Maryland.

• July 24, 2020: Plaintiffs file motion for stay or preliminary injunction. See also:

  • Defendants’ opposition to motion

  • Plaintiffs’ reply motion

• September 11, 2020: Court enters opinion granting preliminary injunction.

• February 7, 2022: Judge overrules the administration’s work permit rules in AsylumWorks v. Mayorkas

  • Judge’s Opinion in AsylumWorks v. Mayorkas

  • Judge’s Order in AsylumWorks v. Mayorkas

• August 29, 2022: Defendants file a motion to stay the case

• September 9, 2022: Plaintiffs file a motion for summary judgment or in the alternative, a motion for contempt, and an opposition to Defendants’ motion to stay

• October 18, 2022: Defendants file a motion to dismiss the case

• November 2, 2022: Plaintiffs file opposition to Defendants’ motion to dismiss

• May 18, 2023: The judge enters an order that dismisses the case