Key Takeaways
• The US received 945,370 asylum applications in 2023, an 88% increase from 2022.
• Over 1.4 million affirmative asylum applications and 1.4 million defensive cases are pending.
• Average asylum wait times exceed 1,283 days, with some courts reaching six years.
The immigration process for people seeking legal asylum in the United States 🇺🇸 in 2025 is more complicated and slower than ever before. With record numbers of asylum applications, long wait times, and a system struggling to keep up, many people hoping for safety and a new start face years of uncertainty. This article explains how the asylum process works, why it takes so long, and what it means for those involved.
Record Numbers of Asylum Applications in the United States 🇺🇸
In 2023, the United States 🇺🇸 received about 945,370 asylum applications, which is an 88% increase from the year before. This huge jump shows how many people around the world are fleeing danger and looking for protection. It also reflects changes in U.S. immigration policy that have made it possible for more people to apply.
There are two main ways people apply for asylum in the United States 🇺🇸:
- Affirmative asylum applications: These are filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) by people who are not in removal (deportation) proceedings. In 2023, there were 456,750 affirmative asylum applications.
- Defensive asylum applications: These are filed as a defense in immigration court by people who are facing removal from the country. In 2023, there were 488,620 defensive asylum applications.
The sharp rise in both types of applications has put a lot of pressure on the immigration system.
How the Asylum Process Works
The United States 🇺🇸 has two main asylum processes: affirmative and defensive. Both are meant to help people who fear harm in their home countries, but they work in different ways.
Affirmative Asylum Process
This process is for people who are already in the United States 🇺🇸 and are not in removal proceedings. Here’s how it works:
- Filing the Application: The person must submit Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal within one year of arriving in the United States 🇺🇸. You can find the official form and instructions on the USCIS website.
- Biometrics Appointment: After filing, USCIS schedules a time for the applicant to provide fingerprints and other identification.
- Asylum Interview: An asylum officer interviews the applicant to hear their story and decide if they qualify for asylum.
- Decision: USCIS either grants asylum or denies the application. If denied, the case may be sent to immigration court for a defensive asylum hearing.
- Work Authorization: If no decision is made within 150 days, the applicant can apply for permission to work in the United States 🇺🇸.
- Appeals: If asylum is denied, the applicant can appeal to the Board of Immigration Appeals or a federal court.
Defensive Asylum Process
This process is for people who are already in removal proceedings (facing deportation). They ask for asylum as a defense in immigration court. The process involves:
- Presenting the case before an immigration judge
- Providing evidence and testimony
- Waiting for the judge’s decision
If the judge denies asylum, the person can appeal the decision.
Massive Backlogs and Long Wait Times
The biggest challenge for people seeking asylum in the United States 🇺🇸 is the long wait. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,446,908 affirmative asylum applications pending with USCIS. Immigration courts had a backlog of over 3.7 million open removal cases as of January 31, 2025. At the end of fiscal year 2024, there were 1,478,623 defensive asylum applications waiting in immigration courts.
Average wait times for asylum relief in 2024 were over 1,283 days—that’s about three and a half years. Some courts have even longer waits. For example, the Omaha Immigration Court had an average wait time of 2,119 days, which is nearly six years.
These delays mean that many people live in limbo for years, not knowing if they will be allowed to stay or forced to leave.
Why Is the System So Slow?
Several factors have caused the asylum system to slow down:
- Huge Increase in Applications: More people are applying for asylum than ever before.
- Limited Resources: USCIS and immigration courts do not have enough staff or funding to handle the workload.
- Complex Procedures: The rules and steps for applying are complicated and take time to complete.
- Policy Changes: Shifts in U.S. immigration policy have sometimes made the process even slower.
Even though some new rules have tried to speed things up, the system is still overwhelmed.
Recent Policy Changes and Their Impact
In 2024, the United States 🇺🇸 introduced the Asylum Processing Rule. This rule allows some asylum seekers to have their full cases reviewed by USCIS asylum officers instead of going straight to immigration court. The goal is to reduce the court backlog and make decisions faster.
However, as of mid-2025, this change has not made a big difference in the overall wait times or backlog. The number of applications keeps growing, and both USCIS and the courts are still struggling with limited resources.
No major new laws have been passed to fix the system. Most changes have come through administrative rules or small increases in funding.
What This Means for Asylum Seekers
The long waits and complicated process have serious effects on people seeking asylum:
- Uncertainty and Stress: Many asylum seekers spend years not knowing if they can stay or if they will be sent back to danger.
- Separation from Family: Long delays can keep families apart, as people often cannot bring loved ones to the United States 🇺🇸 until their cases are decided.
- Limited Work Opportunities: Asylum seekers must wait at least 150 days after applying before they can ask for work authorization. Even then, delays in processing mean many cannot work legally for a long time.
- Mental Health Struggles: The stress of waiting, fear of being sent back, and financial hardship can cause anxiety, depression, and other mental health problems.
- Difficulty Finding Legal Help: Because cases take so long, it can be hard for people to keep the same lawyer or get free legal help for the entire process.
Who Is Involved in the Asylum Process?
Several groups and agencies play important roles in the asylum process:
- USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services): Handles affirmative asylum applications and initial interviews.
- EOIR (Executive Office for Immigration Review): Runs the immigration courts and manages defensive asylum cases.
- Advocacy Groups: Organizations like the American Immigration Council provide legal help and push for reforms to make the system fairer and faster.
- Government Officials: Leaders in the United States 🇺🇸 government have recognized the backlog problem, but as of mid-2025, no major reforms have been passed.
Expert Opinions and Calls for Reform
Many experts say the current asylum system is not working well. The long delays and complicated steps make it hard for people who truly need protection to get help quickly. Some of the main suggestions for fixing the system include:
- Hiring More Staff: Adding more officers and judges to handle cases faster.
- Making the Process Simpler: Cutting down on unnecessary steps and paperwork.
- Expanding Legal Help: Making it easier for asylum seekers to get lawyers or free legal aid.
- Increasing Funding: Giving more money to USCIS and the courts so they can keep up with the number of cases.
Advocacy groups warn that if the system does not improve, more people will be left waiting in dangerous situations or may give up on their cases altogether.
Historical Background: How Did We Get Here?
The asylum system in the United States 🇺🇸 has changed a lot over the years. Application numbers have gone up and down based on world events and changes in U.S. policy. Since 2015, the backlog has grown steadily, made worse by the COVID-19 pandemic and new rules that slowed things down even more.
Now, in 2025, the backlog and wait times are the highest they have ever been. This is a sign of deeper problems in the system that need long-term solutions.
What’s Next for the Asylum System?
As of mid-2025, there have been no big new laws to fix the asylum backlog. Some small improvements may come from new rules or more funding, but most experts agree that bigger changes are needed.
Advocacy groups and some lawmakers continue to push for reforms that would:
- Speed up the process
- Make it easier to get legal help
- Reduce the backlog
- Protect the rights of asylum seekers
Until then, people seeking asylum in the United States 🇺🇸 will likely keep facing long waits and uncertainty.
Practical Steps for Asylum Seekers
If you are thinking about applying for asylum in the United States 🇺🇸, here are some important things to remember:
- File on Time: You must submit your asylum application within one year of arriving in the United States 🇺🇸, unless you qualify for an exception.
- Use the Correct Form: The main form for asylum is Form I-589. Make sure to follow the instructions carefully.
- Prepare for Delays: Be ready for a long wait. Keep copies of all your documents and stay in touch with USCIS or the immigration court.
- Seek Legal Help: If possible, get help from a lawyer or a trusted legal aid group. Many organizations offer free or low-cost help.
- Apply for Work Authorization: If your case is still pending after 150 days, you can apply for work authorization using Form I-765.
- Stay Informed: Check official sources like the USCIS Asylum page for updates and information.
Where to Find More Information
For official information and updates on asylum applications and the immigration process, visit the USCIS Asylum Information page. This site provides details on forms, eligibility, and the latest news.
You can also find help and resources from advocacy groups like the American Immigration Council at americanimmigrationcouncil.org.
Conclusion: A System in Need of Change
The asylum process in the United States 🇺🇸 is meant to protect people fleeing danger, but right now it is slow, complicated, and stressful for those who need it most. With record numbers of asylum applications, long waits, and a system that cannot keep up, many people are left in limbo for years.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the current state of the asylum system highlights the urgent need for reform. Until bigger changes are made, asylum seekers must prepare for a long journey through a system that is neither simple nor fast.
If you or someone you know is considering applying for asylum, make sure to use official resources, file all paperwork on time, and seek legal help when possible. Staying informed and prepared is the best way to handle the challenges of the U.S. immigration process today.
Learn Today
Asylum → Protection granted to people fleeing persecution in their home countries.
Affirmative asylum → An application filed with USCIS by people not in deportation proceedings.
Defensive asylum → An asylum claim made during removal proceedings before an immigration judge.
USCIS → United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, handling affirmative asylum applications and interviews.
Backlog → Accumulated pending cases causing long delays in immigration processing.
This Article in a Nutshell
Asylum seekers face unprecedented delays with millions of pending cases and average waits over three years. The overwhelmed US system struggles despite policy changes, causing uncertainty and hardship for those seeking protection under complex processes with limited resources and growing backlogs.
— By VisaVerge.com
