ASAP in the News

Government Could Dismiss Some Asylum Claims

CNN

June 25, 2025

“Every asylum seeker should have an opportunity to have their case processed. Dismissing their asylum cases will hurt them, their families, employers, and communities that rely on them,” said Conchita Cruz, ASAP’s Co-ED.

ASAP Shares Concerns About Limiting Work Permits

Wall Street Journal

June 10, 2025

“It’s a rare instance where business owners and the business community are on the same page as the labor movement and immigrants,” said Conchita Cruz, ASAP’s Co-Executive Director.

ASAP Member Fights to Protect Her Baby’s Citizenship

Latino USA

June 8, 2025

“When you’re pregnant, it’s you and your baby against the world,” said Monica, a pregnant mother and ASAP member, on why she decided to join the fight to protect birthright citizenship.

ASAP Member Urges Protection of Birthright Citizenship

Our Sunday Visitor

June 7, 2025

Barbara, a pregnant ASAP member, said, “Babies are a blessing. They’re the future of any society. And to guarantee the rights of these babies is to guarantee the future of a society.”

ASAP Fights for Work Permits for Asylum Seekers

CBS

June 3, 2025

“Asylum seekers play critical roles in a wide array of jobs — they are the doctors and the people cleaning the hospitals,” said Conchita Cruz, ASAP’s co-executive director.

ASAP Members Worry Their Child Will Be Stateless

NPR

May 15, 2025

Dina and Henry, ASAP members and parents of a newborn, said, “We feel as though she may be relegated to a class of population that are not identified with any country.”

ASAP Member Hopeful for Supreme Court Decision

The Guardian

May 15, 2025

“I had to fight for my baby,” said Monica, an ASAP member and plaintiff in the birthright citizenship case. “Let’s wait in faith and trust in the laws of this country.”

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in ASAP’s Birthright Citizenship Case

Rolling Stone

May 15, 2025

“The case centers on a challenge two immigrant rights groups, CASA and ASAP, brought following the executive order attempting to end birthright citizenship,” said the author.

Parents and ASAP Members Fight for Birthright Citizenship

CNN

May 14, 2025

Dina, an ASAP member and mother, shared: “All the children that are being born, it’s like a right that is being taken away from them. So it is a very painful process to even think about.”

ASAP Member Fears for Son’s Citizenship

WBEZ Chicago

May 14, 2025

Daniela, an ASAP member who recently gave birth to a son, said: “It’s extremely concerning.” Without U.S. citizenship, “my son would not have the protection of any other country.”

ASAP Member Worries About Her Baby’s Citizenship

Associated Press

May 14, 2025

Barbara, an ASAP member, said: “It scares me that my baby will be born without citizenship. Claiming Cuban citizenship is not an option because we are fleeing from that country.”

Pregnant Moms Monitor U.S. Supreme Court Birthright Citizenship Case

Reuters

May 14, 2025

Barbara, a pregnant asylum seeker from Cuba and ASAP member, said she will be following what happens at the Supreme Court, nervous that her baby will be “born into a limbo.”

ASAP Members Defend Birthright Citizenship at the Supreme Court

CNN

May 11, 2025

“As a mom, it would be very difficult for me to explain to him why he doesn’t have those rights,” said Meny, an ASAP member, whose son may not be recognized as a U.S. citizen at birth.

North Carolina Mom Fights to Protect Birthright Citizenship

Cardinal & Pine

April 23, 2025

Trinidad joined ASAP’s lawsuit to help families like hers. She shared her hopes that “the babies of people in my same situation have the security that they will be citizens of the country they are born in.”

ASAP Asks the Supreme Court to Protect Birthright Citizenship

New York Times

April 4, 2025

In a brief filed with the Supreme Court, ASAP argued, “chaos would ensue” if the Supreme Court granted the government’s request to limit birthright citizenship.

Pregnant Moms Worry About Birthright Citizenship

Eternal Word Television Network

March 21, 2025

“Being pregnant is already a difficult situation, and now I have this double stress that my baby could be born stateless,” said Barbara, an ASAP member from Cuba.

ASAP Members Fear Birthright Citizenship Order

Washington Post

February 9, 2025

“There’s so much uncertainty around what’s going to happen. What will happen with my baby?” said Trinidad, an ASAP member, reflecting on the birthright citizenship ban.

ASAP Members Defend Birthright Citizenship in Court

New York Times

February 5, 2025

The judge paused the birthright citizenship order nationwide because ASAP “has members in every state who could give birth in the coming weeks,” said the authors.

Judge Pauses Birthright Citizenship Order

NBC News

February 5, 2025

“Even though my baby will be born in the U.S., I have been worried that they will be denied a right guaranteed under the constitution,” said Trinidad, an ASAP member.

Mothers Protect Birthright Citizenship

NPR

February 5, 2025

“This ruling will give mothers like me temporary relief as we navigate pregnancy and the uncertain future for our babies,” said Trinidad, an ASAP member.

Judge Blocks Order on Birthright Citizenship

CNN

February 5, 2025

“The order created chaos for ASAP members who fear their kids won’t be able to live in the only country they will have ever known,” said Swapna Reddy, ASAP’s Co-ED.

ASAP Members Fear for Their Babies’ Futures

NBC News

February 1, 2025

The executive order on birthright citizenship “creates a lot of fear,” said Meny, an ASAP member. “As moms, we want what’s best for our children. It’s a great concern.”

Helping Asylum Seekers Navigate the Asylum System

ABA Journal Legal Rebels

February 1, 2025

“Asylum seekers deserve to know what the laws are and how to follow them,” said Swapna Reddy, ASAP’s Co-ED. “ASAP gives them tools to take control of their own cases.”

Pregnant Mom Sues over Birthright Citizenship

CNN

January 29, 2025

“My world fell apart,” said Liza, a graduate student from Russia and plaintiff in the case. “We have to do it for us, our baby, and all the other people like us.”

ASAP Member Fights for Her Baby’s Citizenship

The Cut

January 28, 2025

“I have high blood pressure because I am anxious. I pray when I give birth, the decision will be clear and my baby will be a U.S. citizen,” said Lesly, an ASAP member.

ASAP Members Defend a Constitutional Right

The Guardian

January 28, 2025

“For me and for so many mothers. This is a right that is in the U.S. constitution,” said Monica, an ASAP member and plaintiff in the birthright citizenship lawsuit.

Women Who Redefined Technology for Good

Forbes

January 27, 2025

“We both routinely refer our friends and family members to ASAP. It means we have faith in what we have built,” said Conchita Cruz, ASAP’s co-executive director.

States Sue Over Birthright Citizenship Order

Baltimore Sun

January 23, 2025

The order “created chaos,” said Swapna Reddy, ASAP’s Co-ED. ASAP members are “scared that their children will not belong in the only country they have ever known.”

Asylum Seeking Parents Defend Their Kids’ Rights

Univision Noticias

January 23, 2025

“Instead of thinking about my baby being healthy, I also have to think about how my baby doesn’t have the right to be an American citizen,” said Monica, an ASAP member.

Executive Order Could Leave Babies Stateless

NBC News

January 23, 2025

The order might make kids stateless. “Requesting a passport for a U.S.-born child could endanger the parents’ asylum claim,” said Leidy Perez, ASAP’s policy director.

ASAP Sues Over Birthright Citizenship Order

The 19th

January 22, 2025

With the order, babies can’t get a U.S. passport. “Contact with consulates of countries of origin could risk asylum seekers’ safety,” said Conchita Cruz, Co-ED of ASAP.

Parents Sue to Protect Citizenship for their Kids

ABC News

January 22, 2025

Trinidad, an ASAP member, “fears that her child will be stateless, caught between Venezuela’s democratic crisis and the U.S. immigration system,” said the authors.

ASAP Files Lawsuit on Birthright Citizenship

CBS News

January 22, 2025

“I should be worried about the health of my child. I should be thinking that primarily, but instead, my husband and I are stressed,” said Monica, a pregnant ASAP member.

ASAP Members Fight for Birthright Citizenship

New York Times

January 21, 2025

Nivida, an ASAP member, has a daughter and is expecting a boy. “Her brother, to be born in the same country, might not have the same opportunities,” said Nivida.

Press Release

Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project

January 21, 2025

“I am scared for my child and family. We can’t get our child any other citizenship – I don’t know what we will do,” said Monica, an ASAP member leading the case.

DHS Announces Permanent Work Permit Extension

Portland Press Herald

December 10, 2024

“ASAP cheered the new rule, saying it will help hundreds of thousands of immigrants – asylum seekers, refugees, green card applicants and others,” said the author.

Government Permanently Extends Work Permits

Bloomberg Law

December 10, 2024

“With this final rule, DHS ensured that ASAP members and other immigrants will not fall out of the workforce because of work permit backlogs,” said Co-ED Conchita Cruz.

Backing Narrative Change Around Immigration

Inside Philanthropy

November 21, 2024

“The Ford Foundation partnered to launch Reclaiming the Border Narrative to reshape the conversation about the border,” said the author. “The grantees included ASAP.”

Biden’s Unfinished Immigration Agenda

Bloomberg Law

November 21, 2024

“Wait times for work permits and renewals are the top concern for members,” said Conchita Cruz, Co-ED. “They’re worried about supporting themselves and their families.”

Noncitizens Can Take These Steps Ahead of January

USA Today

November 15, 2024

“Asylum seekers should apply for their first work permit, if they are eligible, even if they do not plan to work, according to ASAP,” said the author.

AI In Action: How Nonprofits Amplify Impact

Forbes

November 7, 2024

“ASAP is using AI to scale its virtual help desk, providing individualized answers to thousands of legal immigration questions,” said Shannon Farley from Fast Forward.

Businesses Demand Faster Work Permits

American Immigration Council

October 25, 2024

“Our members have already been affected by work permit processing delays, forcing their employers to scramble to cover their critical work,” said Conchita Cruz, Co-ED.

ASAP Uses Technology to Support ASAP Members

Harvard School of Engineering (SEAS)

September 24, 2024

ASAP “uses technology to help our members and their families navigate a complex immigration process,” said Swapna Reddy, Co-ED and an alum of Harvard SEAS.

Connecting Threads: Mentorship and Collaboration

Yale Law School

August 7, 2024

“[Suny] asked us to continue representing the women who were going to trial. We listened and took it step by step from there,” said ASAP co-founder, Swapna Reddy.

Preparing for Immigration Court Without a Lawyer

Block Club Chicago

May 16, 2024

“People are sometimes assigned a court far from where they live. You can request a location change,” said the author. “The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project has a template Motion to Change Venue.”

How 600,000 Asylum Seekers Make Change

EAAMO Colloquium

April 17, 2024

“We only ask members for their time when we’re fighting on their behalf, for something they’ve asked us to do,” said Swapna. Watch Co-ED Swapna Reddy’s talk at 11:25.

Work Permit Relief Coming for 800,000 Immigrants

Bloomberg Law

April 4, 2024

Helen, an ASAP member from Armenia, said, “I applaud the government for taking action before any more immigrants lose their jobs.”

Biden Extends Some Immigrant Work Permits

The Hill

April 4, 2024

Linda, an ASAP member from Zimbabwe, told The Hill that the government extending work permits for asylum seekers and other immigrants was a “huge relief.”

70 Members of Congress Ask to Extend Work Permits

U.S. Congressman Adriano Espaillat

April 1, 2024

“I hope the government will listen to these Members of Congress and extend our work permits now so we can keep working,” said Anar, an ASAP member.

Members of Congress Demand Work Permit Extension

Bloomberg Law

April 1, 2024

“I am worried I will lose my job and the ability to provide for myself and my family,” said Anar, an asylum seeker from Mongolia and ASAP member.

Advocates Ask for a Longer Work Permit Extension

Bloomberg Law

March 18, 2024

“It was such an uncertain situation; I didn’t know what was going to happen,” said Andreas, an ASAP member who waited over a year for his work permit renewal.

ASAP Improves Systems, Grows Engineering Team

Chronicle of Philanthropy

March 14, 2024

“We’ve never met 99% of our members in person, but we have established deep trust with them using technology,” says ASAP’s co-executive director Swapna Reddy.

Immigrants Help the U.S. Economy Grow

Washington Post

March 8, 2024

“I would say we have a net positive effect on the job market. We are contributing to this society,” said Ricky, an ASAP member working in information technology.

U.S. Economy Grows Because of Immigration

New York Times

February 29, 2024

“If I don’t get [my work permit] in time, I lose my job, and if I do not finish my residency, I cannot apply for jobs,” said a member of ASAP.

Mayors Advocate to Extend Work Permits

The Hill

February 12, 2024

“It is critical that the government extend work permits for immigrants who are waiting for their applications to be processed,” said Charity, an ASAP member.

States, Businesses Ask for Faster Work Permits

Bloomberg Law

December 29, 2023

“Employers are begging for workers and there are hurdles that people have to go through in order to begin working,” said Leidy Perez, ASAP’s policy director.

ASAP Innovates to Better Support Members

Workflow

December 5, 2023

“Artificial intelligence can provide a powerful way to track changes in the questions members ask and help us identify systemic issues,” said Co-ED, Swapna Reddy.

Advocates Call for a Work Permit Extension

The Hill

October 26, 2023

“It’s taking USCIS longer to issue renewals. Unless they act soon, immigrants are going to lose work authorization,” said Leidy Perez, ASAP’s policy director.

Separated Families Reach Deal with U.S.

USA Today

October 16, 2023

“Day to day, we still relive it. Any psychological help for the families will be a blessing. It’s really hard to go through what we went through,” said ASAP member Daniel, who was separated from his daughter.

The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project Lives Up to Its Name

Walder Foundation

October 12, 2023

“ASAP helped me to navigate through this very confusing and complicated asylum system,” said an ASAP member. “I hope all asylum seekers will find ASAP and get the support in the community when they need it.”

Biden Offers TPS, 5-Year Work Permits

USA Today

September 21, 2023

ASAP cheered longer validity of work permits for asylum seekers from two years to five, which ASAP members fought for to reduce backlogs and ease hardship of paying $410 each renewal.

“No Words for the Anxiety” – Waiting for Work Permits

The Guardian

September 10, 2023

Work permit backlogs have generated a resistance movement. ASAP, the membership organization formed to fight for faster and fairer treatment by federal agencies, has grown to more than 562,000 members nationwide.

ASAP aims to provide factual information about current immigration laws. This information is not legal advice.