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.
USCIS Asylum Halt: Iran, Somalia, Yemen Affected; Venezuela Unclear
A nationwide pause on asylum and refugee decisions announced in late November 2025 will affect many applicants; USCIS may relitigate about 233,000 cases. Lack of a published country list leaves…
Can CAT Protection Replace Asylum? Key Facts and Limitations
CAT is an essential, mandatory backup when asylum or withholding fail. Applicants must prove a greater-than-50% chance of…
Will the USCIS Asylum Freeze Prevent Working Legally in the U.S.?
Following a fatal shooting, USCIS froze all affirmative asylum decisions in late November 2025, suspending adjudication of EADs…
No Blanket Cancellations for Asylum Interviews as of November 2025
There is no broad cancellation of asylum interviews despite November 2025 rumors. USCIS is, however, closing some older…
Asylum Decision Halt Does Not Impact K-1 Fiancé(e) Visas
A late-November 2025 USCIS pause affects asylum decisions only; K-1 fiancé visas follow a separate track. I-129F petitions…
Does the USCIS asylum halt apply to both affirmative and defensive cases?
USCIS has instructed officers to stop issuing final decisions in affirmative asylum cases nationwide and indefinitely. Interviews and…
Legal Options for Asylum Cases Delayed by the USCIS Freeze
If your interview-complete asylum case stalled during a USCIS freeze, first contact USCIS and document everything. Seek help…
Asylum Applicants Do Not Qualify for Re-Entry Permits Amid Vetting
Re-entry permits only apply to permanent residents with green cards; pending asylum applicants are ineligible. After asylum approval…
Post-October 2025 EAD Rules: What Asylum Seekers Must Know
New DHS policies ending October 30, 2025, have removed the 540-day work permit extension for new EAD renewals.…
Can USCIS Deny My Asylum Application During the Decision Halt?
On Nov. 28, 2025, USCIS paused decisions on most affirmative asylum claims during an expanded security review and…