Written by ASAP’s expert immigration lawyers · Updated
This page provides time-sensitive updates for asylum seekers about: asylum, work permits, social security numbers, immigration court, driver's licenses, TPS, detention, ICE, SIJS, parole, birthright citizenship, leaving the U.S., immigration limits for 40 countries, and travel. The most recent changes are marked or below.
Asylum
USCIS asylum decision pause. On November 28, 2025, USCIS announced that it has stopped making any decisions on pending asylum applications. USCIS says they will continue to accept new asylum applications and conduct asylum interviews, but they will not make any final decisions to grant or deny asylum. USCIS released a Policy Memorandum about the pause, but did not say how long this pause would last. If you have a work permit based on a pending asylum case, it remains valid and you can continue to use it.
Immigration court cases. As far as ASAP knows, the pause is not supposed to affect asylum applications in immigration court, but we do not know what immigration judges will do. Separately, the government is also ending some cases in immigration court before the asylum seeker receives a full hearing. This could happen because of problems with fees, facts in the asylum application, what country you are from, or other reasons. If this happens in your case at an immigration court hearing, you are likely to be detained. Read what to know before an immigration court hearing. If you have not spoken with a lawyer about your asylum case before, you can look for a lawyer.
Negative announcements for 40 countries. The government has made negative announcements affecting people from specific countries. The government has paused processing of most USCIS applications (including asylum), announced travel restrictions, and made other changes. The countries are: Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma [Myanmar], Burundi, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Learn more below.
Potential reversal of past asylum grants. The government has suggested that it may also try to reverse previous grants of asylum for individuals not from the countries above. However, the government has only spoken about this in the news and has not released any official documents about this to the public. We do not know what will actually happen, and we will keep this page updated if we learn more.
USCIS dismissal letters. Some asylum seekers who applied for asylum with USCIS have received letters dismissing their cases. If you received a USCIS letter, read this resource for possible next steps.
New initial filing fee. The U.S. government has announced a new $100 initial filing fee to apply for asylum in immigration court or USCIS.
New annual asylum fee. There is also a new annual asylum fee of $100 per year. ASAP members are fighting this annual asylum fee in a lawsuit. On October 30, a judge decided that no asylum seekers are currently required to pay the annual asylum fee. However, this pause is temporary, and if your asylum application has been pending for more than 1 year, you may be required to pay the fee soon. You can read the most recent updates about the USCIS annual asylum fee here, and the immigration court annual asylum fee here.
New applications. If you are currently in the U.S. and you have not submitted an asylum application, you can still submit one if you are eligible. Applying for asylum is a complicated decision that depends on your specific circumstances. Learn more about asylum.
Work permits based on asylum
Length of work permits. Work permits issued after December 4, 2025 to asylum seekers will be valid for 18 months, instead of 5 years. However, if you received a 5-year work permit on or before December 4, 2025, it is still valid for 5 years. This change also applies to some other immigrants. Learn more on USCIS’s website.
Filing an initial application. If you applied for asylum and you do not have a work permit yet, you can still apply for a work permit 150 days after the government receives your asylum application.
Current work permit. If you currently have a work permit based on a pending asylum application, your work permit is still valid.
Pause in work permit renewal processing for specific countries. USCIS has paused processing of almost all immigration applications filed by people from certain countries. This pause may include applications to renew work permits based on seeking asylum, category (c)(8). However, USCIS should still process initial work permit applications based on seeking asylum, category (c)(8). It appears that USCIS has paused other work permit applications, those not based on seeking asylum, for people from these countries.
Renewal auto-extensions. The government has stopped issuing new automatic work permit extensions for people applying to renew their work permits on or after October 30, 2025. But if you already received a 540-day extension on or before October 29, your extension is still valid! Learn more here.
Fees. The U.S. government has announced a new fee of $550 to apply for a first work permit as an asylum seeker. (Before, there was no fee.) The fee to renew an asylum-based work permit increased by $275. If you are renewing your work permit online, it now costs a total of $745. If you are renewing your work permit by mail, it now costs a total of $795. Learn more here.
Delays. If you are applying for your first work permit as an asylum seeker, the government is supposed to make a decision on your work permit application within 30 days. However, processing delays are getting worse. If you do not receive a decision within 25 days, there are steps you can take, but they may not work.
Immigration limits for 40 countries
The U.S. government has announced new immigration limits for individuals from specific countries.
Inside the United States. USCIS announced new changes that negatively impact the immigration cases of individuals who are citizens of, or were born in, these 19 countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, and Yemen. News reports say USCIS is expanding these negative changes to people from 21 additional countries: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Palestine, Senegal, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
USCIS has paused processing of almost all immigration applications, including asylum and permanent residency (green cards), for people from these countries. See this USCIS Policy Memorandum. This pause does NOT apply to initial work permits based on seeking asylum, category (c)(8). USCIS is still supposed to process initial work permit applications based on seeking asylum within 30 days.
The government is also canceling already-scheduled interviews at USCIS for some people from these countries, including green card interviews and some asylum interviews.
USCIS has also said that even if it does again begin processing immigration applications for people from one of these countries, being from one of the countries on the list will be a “significant negative factor” in deciding many immigration applications, such as asylum or adjustment of status to permanent residence. See this USCIS Policy Alert.
The government said they will review past immigration approvals won by people from these countries who arrived in the United States on or after January 20, 2021, and could reverse past approvals. See this USCIS Policy Memorandum. The Policy Memorandum, published on December 2, instructs government officials to make a list of cases to review within 90 days.
Traveling to the United States. The U.S. government has announced restrictions on travel to the United States for citizens of 40 countries.
Full Restrictions:
Since June 9, 2025, the U.S. government has prohibited citizens of these countries from entering the U.S., with some exceptions: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Beginning November 28, 2025, the U.S. government appears to have stopped issuing any visas to people with Afghanistan passports, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), with no exceptions.
Starting on January 1, 2026, the U.S. government will also prohibit citizens of these countries from entering the U.S., with some exceptions: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Palestine, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria.
Partial Restrictions:
Since June 9, 2025, citizens of these countries have not been allowed to enter the U.S. when using certain visas (with some exceptions): Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Starting on January 1, 2026, citizens of these additional countries will also not be allowed to enter the U.S. when using certain visas (with some exceptions): Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
More information:
Social security numbers
Immigrants can still apply for social security numbers in their work permit applications.
In the past, immigrants would receive a social security card automatically when their work permit was approved. However, social security numbers are no longer being sent automatically to many immigrants.
After you receive your first work permit, you can schedule an in-person appointment and fill out a form to apply for a social security card. You can watch this video or learn more here.
In Spring 2025, the U.S. government cancelled social security numbers for a small number of immigrants. If you believe your social security number was canceled, you may want to consult with a lawyer.
Social security offices may be sharing information with immigration agencies.
Immigration court hearings
If you have a case in immigration court, your case is still active until the judge makes a decision. Check your case status every week in case there is a new decision or a new hearing date.
Detention. Starting in May 2025, the government has been detaining many immigrants at immigration court hearings. As of October 2025, the government has slowed down arrests in some immigration courts, but continues the arrests in others. If you do not attend your immigration court hearing, you will most likely receive a deportation order. Read more here.
Ending cases. The government is ending some cases in immigration court before the asylum seeker receives a full hearing. This could happen because of problems with fees, facts in the asylum application, agreements with other countries, or other reasons. If this happens in your case at an immigration court hearing, you could be detained. Read more here.
Administrative Closure. If your immigration court case was previously administratively closed (your case is still in court but not scheduled for future hearings), check the status of your case. Many immigration court cases that were administratively closed, even for years, are being scheduled for new hearings. To check your case status, call the court hotline at 1-800-898-7180 or go to this website.
Deportations to another country. The U.S. government is trying to end some immigration court asylum cases and send people to a third country to seek asylum there instead, even if they have never been to that country before. Learn more.
Driver’s licenses and commercial driver's licenses
Many asylum seekers and other immigrants are eligible for driver’s licenses. Learn about your state’s requirements here.
As of November 10, 2025, asylum seekers can apply for commercial drivers licenses (CDLs) again!
The U.S. government tried to block asylum seekers and other immigrants from receiving new CDLs, which are special licenses for driving large and heavy vehicles. ASAP members wrote to us and told us they had trained for years to become truck drivers, and explained how difficult this change would be for their families. ASAP helped interested members to get involved in another organization’s lawsuit to challenge this policy and a court has prevented this change for now. Immigrants can continue to receive CDLs while the lawsuit proceeds!
However, ASAP has heard that some states (including California, Colorado, Florida, Nevada, New York, South Dakota, Texas, and Washington) are still not issuing or renewing CDLs, even though they can do so after the court’s order on November 10. You can find more information here. If you are applying for a CDL and have been denied, you can try again and take a copy of (1) the judge’s most recent order and (2) this email sent by the U.S. government to states explaining that states can continue issuing and renewing CDLs for now. If this does not work, you can also try requesting additional review by a supervisor, try again another day, or go to a different department of motor vehicles (DMV) office in your state. However, we do not know if taking these steps will work and your DMV office may still refuse to issue or renew your CDL.
Temporary Protected Status (TPS)
The U.S. government is trying to end TPS for certain countries: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Cameroon, Ethiopia, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua, South Sudan, Syria, and Venezuela. Immigrants are challenging these actions in multiple lawsuits. Learn about the current status of TPS for different countries here.
The U.S. government has announced new fees to register for TPS and apply for a work permit based on TPS. It has also announced that new work permits based on TPS will only be valid for one year. Read more here.
People with TPS can also apply for asylum or other types of immigration status if eligible. This can be a complicated decision that depends on your specific circumstances. If you decide to apply for another immigration status, it is best to apply before your TPS expires if possible.
Detention and raids
The U.S. government is conducting immigration raids, creating new detention centers, detaining many immigrants, and deporting people more quickly than before. The government is also expanding the use of a faster deportation process called “expedited removal” for some immigrants.
Here are some safety measures that asylum seekers can take to protect themselves in the United States and prepare for the possibility of detention or deportation.
If you have a loved one who is detained, learn about immigration detention.
The government has been detaining more people at immigration appointments. Read about the risk of detention in immigration court and the risk of detention at ICE check ins, including possible steps to prepare. Some people have also been detained at USCIS appointments, but as of November 2025, this is still more rare.
The U.S. government is also trying to send some immigrants to other countries if they have a deportation order or if they won withholding or CAT. There have been reports of this happening across the country, and immigrants are fighting against this policy through a lawsuit. If you are detained and you are told you could be sent to another country, and if you are afraid to be sent to that country, tell as many immigration officers as possible. Learn more.
ICE check-ins
Some immigrants have check-ins with ICE, and some do not.
The government has begun detaining more people during ICE check-ins. Learn more, including what you can do to prepare.
If possible, talk to a lawyer before you go to your next ICE check-in. Find legal help here.
If you are detained at an ICE check-in, and you are afraid to return to your country of origin, you can tell as many immigration officers as possible that you are afraid to return to your country of origin and you want to seek asylum.
Special Immigrant Juvenile Status (SIJS)
You can still apply for SIJS as a new applicant. Pending SIJS applications are still being processed.
The U.S. government has announced a new $250 fee to apply for SIJS.
If you win SIJS, you can immediately apply for a work permit through a process called “deferred action.” In April 2025, the U.S. government tried to end the policy that gave deferred action to people who won SIJS. But a court prevented this change for now.
If you currently have a work permit based on SIJS deferred action, your work permit is valid, and you can continue to renew it.
If you are granted SIJS, you may be eligible for permanent residence (a green card). However, there are currently long delays. When you apply for a green card, you can apply for a work permit based on the pending green card application.
You can apply for asylum or other types of immigration status at the same time as you apply for SIJS. This can be a complicated decision that depends on your specific circumstances.
Parole
The government has stopped accepting new immigrants through these parole programs: CBP One parole, parole for immigrants from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (CHNV), Ukraine (U4U), Afghanistan (OAW), or El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Colombia (Family Reunification).
On December 12, 2025, the government announced that it will end parole for most people who currently have Family Reunification Parole. If you received Family Reunification Parole and it has not yet expired by January 14, 2026, it will end on that date. However, there is an exception: Family Reunification Parole will not end automatically on that date if you have submitted Form I-485 (application for permanent residence) by December 15, 2025.
Many people who received CBP One parole or CHNV parole received notices ending their parole and work permits early.
If you have parole and you do not already have another pending immigration application, you may want to consider applying before your parole ends, if you are eligible. Some people with parole could be eligible for asylum or other types of immigration status. However, this can be a complicated decision that depends on your specific circumstances. Every time you complete a new application, you are providing updated information to the government that they may not have already.
Birthright citizenship
The government is currently required to recognize the U.S. citizenship of all babies born in the United States.
On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed an Executive Order that tried to restrict birthright citizenship. Thankfully, the Executive Order is now being blocked by multiple court orders called “injunctions” – including in ASAP members’ case. The Supreme Court will most likely make a decision about the birthright citizenship Executive Order by June or July 2026. Learn more here.
Leaving the United States
If you want to leave the United States and no longer seek asylum, you can read about things to consider before leaving.
Some people can use a government application called “CBP Home” to leave the United States. You can read this guide about CBP Home from another organization. If you are eligible to use CBP Home, you may be able to get help with buying a plane ticket, and receive $1,000 once you have left.
Once you leave the United States, it may be very difficult to return legally in the future, depending on your circumstances, even if you use the CBP Home app.
Travel
Asylum seekers are allowed to travel within the United States, and many asylum seekers travel by car, bus, train, and airplane without a problem. However, in 2025, the risk of arrest and detention have increased significantly. While traveling, you may encounter immigration officials or police officers. They could ask questions about your immigration status or ask for documentation. It is possible that this could result in arrest and detention, even if you have a pending asylum application and a valid work permit. Read more about travel within the U.S.
If you have a deportation order, the risk of detention while traveling is higher – especially for travel by plane.
Read this guide from another organization to learn about other groups that may be at a higher risk of detention and about safety tips for traveling by plane.
If you travel, consider carrying a U.S. ID or other proof of your immigration status. As of May 7, 2025 if you are traveling by plane within the United States, you will need a “REAL ID” such as a work permit or valid passport from any country. Read about documents you can carry and other safety measures.
The U.S. government has also announced new travel restrictions for citizens of 40 countries:
Full Restrictions:
Since June 9, 2025, the U.S. government has prohibited citizens of these countries from entering the U.S., with some exceptions: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen.
Beginning November 28, 2025, the U.S. government appears to have stopped issuing any visas to people with Afghanistan passports, including Afghan Special Immigrant Visas (SIVs), with no exceptions.
Starting on January 1, 2026, the U.S. government will also prohibit citizens of these countries from entering the U.S., with some exceptions: Burkina Faso, Laos, Mali, Niger, Palestine, Sierra Leone, South Sudan, and Syria.
Partial Restrictions:
Since June 9, 2025, citizens of these countries have not been allowed to enter the U.S. when using certain visas (with some exceptions): Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.
Starting on January 1, 2026, citizens of these additional countries will also not be allowed to enter the U.S. when using certain visas (with some exceptions): Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
More information:
Additionally, citizens of Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Sao Tome and Principe, Tanzania and Zambia need to pay a $5,000-$15,000 “visa bond” to the U.S. government if they are granted a tourist or business visa to visit the U.S. Beginning on January 1, 2026, citizens of Bhutan, Botswana, Central African Republic, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Namibia, and Turkmenistan will also need to pay these bonds for tourist or business visas. Read more.
The Asylum Seeker Advocacy Project (ASAP) aims to provide factual information about current immigration laws. This information is not legal advice.
All legal content is written and legally reviewed by ASAP’s team of expert immigration lawyers. ASAP’s expert lawyers have decades of experience in immigration law and litigation. Collectively, they have won hundreds of cases. Our lawyers are admitted to the Bar in several U.S. states, hold law degrees from universities including Harvard, Yale, and UCLA, and have won multiple awards for their legal work.