Immigration Status
Explainers on U.S. immigration statuses — lawful permanent resident, conditional resident, asylee, refugee, parolee, TPS holder, DACA recipient, and undocumented. Rights, limitations, and pathways for each.
Top questions about Immigration Status
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 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 PoliciesWhat 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 USCIS done regarding asylum decisions as of late November 2025?
USCIS has internally paused all asylum decisions since late November 2025, halting approvals, denials, and closures nationwide.
Read: Asylum-Based EAD Renewal: What to Do When USCIS Pauses DecisionsWhat 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 Push
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 an applicant's asylum merits. This 'threshold-first' approach allows for the pretermission of…
600,000 Venezuelans Face Deportation Amid Maduro Raid and TPS Cut
The U.S. is terminating TPS for 600,000 Venezuelans after Maduro's capture, citing improved conditions. While the administration promotes…
What’s Next for Venezuelans Under TPS: Status, Uncertainty, and Next Steps
Venezuelan TPS holders have received a court-ordered extension of their legal status through October 2, 2026, and work…
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…
Eighty Asylum Seekers Allege Degrading Treatment Under One In, One Out
Asylum seekers at Harmondsworth detention centre are challenging the UK's 'One In, One Out' policy, alleging inhumane conditions…
Noem: Venezuelans with TPS May Apply for Refugee Status
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced that Venezuelans formerly covered by Temporary Protected Status (TPS) can now apply for…
California Judge Vacates TPS Termination for 60,000 Immigrants
Federal courts have blocked the termination of TPS for several countries, including Honduras and Nicaragua. These rulings restore…