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
Trump invites white Afrikaners to seek asylum in the United States
President Trump’s 2025 executive order welcomed white Afrikaners as refugees, pausing broader refugee admissions. Interest vastly exceeded actual approvals; only about 100 initially qualified. The unprecedented policy triggered debates on…
How the UK Houses Asylum Seekers with Serco and Private Landlords
UK aims to end asylum hotel use by 2029, shifting to private rentals while extending settlement wait times…
EU asylum decisions rise as Syrians lead in protection status
EU asylum decisions in 2024 rose 7% to 437,900 grants, mainly benefiting Syrians and led by Germany. New…
Serco scheme expands UK government asylum accommodation services
The Serco scheme lets the UK government work with Serco to house asylum seekers, run detention centers, and…
Republicans propose asylum application fees for first time in U.S. history
Republicans seek to charge a $1,000 asylum application fee for the first time in U.S. history. This controversial…
UK Home Office faces scrutiny over assaults on asylum seekers in care
Between January 2023 and August 2024, the UK Home Office recorded 5,960 assaults on asylum seekers, with 380…
Serco and UK Asylum Accommodation Explained for Home Office Contracts
Serco manages UK asylum housing as costs hit £15.3bn. The government aims to end expensive hotel use by…
Niagara Falls struggles to shelter rising number of asylum seekers
Thousands of asylum seekers in Niagara Falls have filled hotels and stressed city services, straining resources for locals…
Temporary Protected Status holders can now get a REAL ID
TPS holders, or those with pending TPS, qualify for a REAL ID by presenting an EAD (Form I-766,…
I-601 waiver often not needed for DACA holders with no unlawful presence
DACA recipients generally avoid needing an I-601 waiver for unlawful presence if DACA started before age 18 and…