Asylum
U.S. asylum application procedures, credible and reasonable fear standards, immigration court proceedings, and policy changes affecting asylum seekers. Covers defensive and affirmative asylum processes.
Top questions about Asylum
Answers from VisaVerge guidesWhat changes have affected the processing of asylum applications in 2025?
Asylum officers continue to issue decisions, but heavy backlogs and policy shifts have created delays in interviews and hearings.
Read: Asylum Decisions Continue in 2025: No Official Halt, Delays PersistWhat is the current status of asylum decisions after the shooting on November 26, 2025?
Asylum decisions have been halted indefinitely as of November 26, 2025, with no clear timeline for resuming adjudications.
Read: Trump Admin Halts All Asylum Decisions Amid Vetting PushWhat is the U.S. policy stance regarding asylum seekers as of January 2026?
The U.S. has implemented a nationwide Asylum Hold and stricter screening protocols.
Read: Border Guards Detain 15 Asylum Seekers at Vilnius Airport Bound for GermanyWhat has changed regarding the UK asylum system in 2025?
The Rwanda Plan for processing some asylum claims in Rwanda ended, all claims are now processed domestically; the Illegal Migration Act changes allowed even those who entered without permission to make a claim; and efforts have been made to reduce the backlog of cases.
Read: UK Asylum Claims Reach Record High in 2025 Amid Backlog Reduction EffortsWhat are some recent changes in U.S. asylum policies as of January 20, 2025?
As of January 20, 2025, new U.S. asylum policies include the reinstated 'Remain in Mexico' policy and expanded expedited removals, which have altered how asylum seekers can apply and proceed with their claims.
Read: Understanding the U.S. Asylum Process Amid Evolving Policies
Xinjiang whistleblower Guan Heng’s deportation to Uganda scrapped; asylum case pending
Guan Heng, a journalist who exposed Xinjiang detention camps, is currently in U.S. immigration proceedings. After facing a proposed deportation to Uganda, DHS withdrew the plan following public outcry. He…
Afghan asylum seekers in Pakistan plead for visa extensions amid freezes
A series of U.S. policy shifts, including a USCIS processing freeze and a presidential entry ban, have stranded…
The Fiction of Safe Third Countries in Asylum Cooperation
A landmark BIA decision requires immigration judges to determine if an Asylum Cooperative Agreement (ACA) applies before considering…
Dominica Accepts US Asylum Seekers as US Expands Deportation Deals
The U.S. has expanded its deportation network by signing asylum-seeker transfer deals with Dominica and Antigua and Barbuda.…
Asylum Seeker Uses Article 8 to Seek Family Reunification in Britain
Article 8 ECHR offers a legal route for family reunion when standard UK immigration rules fail, focusing on…
Canada Reports Decline in Asylum Claims Amid Border Measures
A 33% decline in Canadian asylum claims in 2025 reflects the impact of expanded border agreements and stricter…
Evidence in Coming Months: Starmer Says UK to Close Asylum Hotels
UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer has ordered an immediate acceleration in closing migrant hotels to reduce the £1.7…
Asylum Seekers Challenge UK-France Deal Over Inhumane Conditions
Asylum seekers at Harmondsworth detention centre are challenging the UK's 'One In, One Out' policy, alleging inhumane conditions…
Asylum Seeker Denied Chicago Casino Jackpot Under New USCIS Hold Policy
An asylum seeker in Chicago was denied a $1,250 jackpot at Bally’s casino due to disputes over his…
Trump-Era Rule Lets US Deny Asylum Based on Public Health Risks
A final rule effective December 31, 2025, enables the U.S. government to bar migrants from asylum if they…