Asylum

Most illegal migrants do not qualify for asylum. An estimated 11 million people in the US lack legal immigration status. About 1.2 million have received final orders of removal meaning they have been found not to qualify for asylum. Before going after these people, the government has decided to deport migrants that have criminal records. Once those estimated 500,000 are deported the congress could pass legislation giving work permits to those who remain. The problem is that some require that the criminals go through the asylum process before removal. In 2019 asylum applicants waited an average of 1,030 days for court date. Then after the court determines they are not eligible for asylum they will get in line behind the 1.2 million already waiting for removal.