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
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. Combined with a new 18-month validity cap and long USCIS processing delays,…
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…
USCIS Halts All Asylum Decisions, Director Says Vetting Must Improve
After a shooting near the White House, USCIS suspended all asylum decisions nationwide to conduct more complete vetting,…
Constant Fear for Myanmar Nationals as TPS Ends and Risk Returns
The U.S. will end TPS for almost 4,000 Myanmar nationals on Jan. 26, 2026, with DHS citing improved…
Government Revokes Asylum Protections for Criminal Convictions
Authorities are reversing protections for asylum seekers and former status holders, targeting those with criminal convictions and ending…
Trump Admin Ends Haiti TPS as Violence Surges Courts Pause Termination
A federal judge paused the Sept. 2, 2025 termination of Haiti’s TPS, keeping protections through Feb. 3, 2026.…
Epping councillors push tighter protest limits at Bell Hotel asylum
Following a High Court ruling, Epping Forest Council voted to challenge the decision and press for tighter protest…
Asylum Seekers in UK Hotels Rise as Net Migration Falls
As of 30 June 2025, 32,059 asylum seekers—30% of the asylum system—were housed in hotels, an 8% increase…
Temporary Protected Status (TPS), February 3, 2026, Haitian Evangelical Clergy Ass’n v. Trump upheld
A court preserved Temporary Protected Status for about 350,000 Haitians through Feb. 3, 2026, finding DHS unlawfully shortened…
Uganda tightens asylum rules with refugee status, Ethiopia, Somalia under review
Facing donor shortfalls and strained services, Uganda stopped granting refugee status to nationals of Ethiopia, Somalia and Eritrea…