The Trump administration is reportedly considering preventing asylum-seekers from getting work permits.
If implemented, the decision would change longstanding U.S. immigration policy, CBS News reported on Tuesday.
A DHS official told the outlet that a proposal has been made by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
At the moment, migrants who have had pending asylum requests for at least 180 days are allowed to work while their cases are decided.
The change would suspend the issuance of permits until USCIS decides claims within 180 days in average, the official said.
However, the official said the timeframe would be hard to meet in the near future given the large backlog of cases.
DHS' Office of Inspector General reported last year that over three quarters of all asylum applications (77%) had been pending for more than 180 days, and almost 40% were more than two years old.
Advocates told the outlet such a change would likely drive migrants to the underground economy.
DHS told the outlet that is does not comment on the "deliberative process or possible decision making."
"Over the previous four years, the Biden administration eviscerated the integrity of America's asylum system. The Department is exploring all possible options to protect our national security and increase program integrity," reads a passage of the statement. "DHS is working to mitigate all forms of fraud and abuse."
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