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 and U.S. travel, TPS, detention, ICE, SIJS, parole, birthright citizenship, leaving the U.S., immigration limits for 40 countries, and international travel. The most recent changes are marked or below.
Asylum
New security checks could cause longer USCIS asylum delays. There are new security checks for many USCIS applications, including asylum, green cards, and possibly work permits. These new security checks could cause longer delays before applications can be approved. Some people could be asked to attend biometrics appointments again and provide fingerprints for additional screening. And unfortunately, all asylum decisions are still paused for asylum seekers from 40 countries.
USCIS asylum decisions are still paused for immigrants from 40 countries. USCIS is not making decisions on asylum applications, work permit renewals, and many other applications for immigrants from 40 countries, with limited exceptions. Learn more. 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. Immigrants are challenging this in a lawsuit. Previously, USCIS had paused asylum decisions for all countries, but it ended that broader pause on March 30, 2026.
Immigration courts are ending some asylum cases early. Asylum seekers in immigration court are supposed to receive a full asylum hearing, but the government is trying to end some cases before that hearing. If the government asks a judge to end your case early, you can try to convince the judge to keep it open. Learn more.
USCIS is ending some asylum cases early. Asylum seekers at USCIS are supposed to receive an asylum interview, but USCIS is ending some cases before that interview. Some asylum seekers have received notices moving their asylum case to immigration court. Other asylum seekers received letters dismissing their asylum case and telling them to schedule credible fear interviews instead.
There is a new annual asylum fee. USCIS or immigration courts can require you to pay an annual asylum fee of $102 if your asylum application has been pending for at least one year. If you do not pay the fee by the deadline that the government sets in your case, your asylum application could be rejected or dismissed, and your work permit could end. Learn more about the new fees and how to pay.
You can still submit new asylum 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. There is a new $100 initial filing fee. Applying for asylum is a complicated decision that depends on your specific circumstances. Learn more about asylum.
Work permits based on asylum
If you currently have a work permit based on a pending asylum application, it is still valid until it expires. The U.S. government has made many changes to work permits, and continues to propose new changes. These changes are described below. However, if you currently hold a valid work permit based on an asylum application, this work permit is not affected by those changes.
A proposed rule would limit work permits. A new proposed rule would make it impossible for asylum seekers to apply for an initial work permit. It would also make work permit renewals more difficult. But this proposed rule is NOT final yet.
You can apply for a work permit before the proposed rule becomes final. You can apply for an initial work permit 150 days after you apply for asylum. Consider applying for a renewal if your work permit is expiring in one year or less. Learn how to apply.
Most initial work permits for asylum seekers are still being processed in 30 days. The government is supposed to process initial work permit applications based on seeking asylum within 30 days, no matter what country you are from.
Renewal delays are growing. Asylum seekers are experiencing long delays to receive their work permit renewals. And asylum seekers from 40 countries are not receiving decisions on their work permit renewals at all, with limited exceptions.
Asylum seekers from 40 countries are not receiving work permit renewals, with limited exceptions. USCIS has stopped processing work permit renewals for asylum seekers from 40 countries unless the applicant is a medical doctor. However, USCIS continues to process initial work permits based on seeking asylum, under category (c)(8).
For most other work permit categories, USCIS has stopped processing both initial and renewal work permits for immigrants from the 40 countries. An exception is that USCIS is still processing initial and renewal work permits under category (c)(11) and (c)(14) for immigrants assisting a U.S. law enforcement agency.
No new 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. ASAP has filed a lawsuit to fight this change.
New work permits are valid for 18 months. Work permits issued after December 4, 2025 are valid for 18 months, instead of 5 years – for asylum seekers and some other immigrants. But if you already received a 5-year work permit, it is still valid for the full 5 years. Learn more.
Note: We have heard that some people received an approval notice for a 5-year work permit on or before December 4, 2025, but then did not receive the actual work permit card, or received an 18-month work permit card instead.
Fees have increased. It now costs $560 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.
Immigration limits for 40 countries
The U.S. government has announced new immigration limits for individuals from specific countries. These limits affect individuals already in the United States, as well as those outside the United States. Immigrants are challenging these changes in a lawsuit.
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.
Processing pause. USCIS has paused processing of almost all immigration applications for people from these countries, including asylum, work permit renewals based on seeking asylum, permanent residency (green cards), and Form I-730 to apply for family members after you win asylum.
However, 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.
On April 29, 2026, USCIS also said that they will continue to process applications for medical doctors even if they are from one of the 40 countries. We do not yet know exactly how this will work.
Negative factor. 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.
Potential reversal of immigration approvals. 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. Individuals from the 40 countries also face restrictions when traveling to the United States. Learn more.
Social security numbers
Asylum seekers can apply to receive social security numbers once they receive their work permits.
In the past, immigrants could request a social security number as part of their work permit applications and then they would receive a social security card automatically when their work permit was approved. However, social security numbers can no longer be requested in work permit applications. Instead, immigrants now have to apply for social security numbers separately.
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 to learn how to apply for a social number or you can follow these instructions.
Social security offices may be sharing information with immigration agencies.
Immigration court hearings
Prepare for court. 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. Read 10 things to know before your first immigration court hearing.
Annual asylum fee. Some judges are sending notices to asylum seekers stating that the annual asylum fee of $102 is now due. If you receive a notice, it should include a deadline, and you can pay online. Learn more about the fee here (including how to pay).
Detention. In 2025, there were widespread reports of arrests at immigration courts. As of Spring 2026, arrests at immigration courts have become less common. However, this could change again in the future. To learn about what is happening at your specific immigration court, you can try to find an organization for immigrants in your area. Learn how to prepare for the possibility of detention.
Ending cases. The government is ending some cases in immigration court before the asylum seeker receives a full hearing. This could happen because of agreements with other countries, problems with fees, facts in the asylum application, or other reasons. Learn more.
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 travel within the U.S.
Driver’s licenses: Many asylum seekers and other immigrants are eligible for driver’s licenses. Learn about your state’s requirements.
Commercial driver’s licenses: On March 16, 2026, the U.S. government issued a new rule blocking asylum seekers and other immigrants from receiving new commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), which are special licenses for driving large and heavy vehicles. This rule is very similar to a 2025 rule the government tried to use to limit CDLs for immigrants, but that 2025 rule was blocked by a court. Now, immigrants are fighting the new policy with another lawsuit.
Travel in the U.S.: 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, since 2025, the risk of arrest and detention has 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. Learn more.
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, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, Venezuela and Yemen.
Immigrants are challenging these actions in multiple lawsuits, and the Supreme Court heard arguments on the lawsuits regarding TPS for Haiti and Syria on April 29, 2026. The Supreme Court will probably make a decision by early July 2026. The decision could affect TPS for other countries as well. Learn about the current status of TPS for different countries.
TPS for Burma (Myanmar), Ethiopia, Haiti, Somalia, South Sudan, Syria, and Yemen remain valid for now, thanks to court victories. If you received TPS for one of these countries, you should be protected from detention and deportation for now, and your work permit is extended automatically. Learn more.
If you applied to renew your work permit based on TPS for El Salvador and have not yet received a new work permit, your current work permit may be auto-extended until August 31, 2026. Learn more. You can also find more information here, including a letter you can give to your employers.
There are new fees to register for TPS and apply for a work permit based on TPS. 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.
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 (including how to find someone in detention and how to request release). You can also view this video on how to use the ICE website to find someone in 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 biometrics appointments if they had a removal order or prior criminal history.
The government announced that it may detain refugees who have not yet become Lawful Permanent Residents (green card holders). However refugees have filed a nationwide lawsuit to challenge this policy, and on March 23, 2026, a court blocked the government from detaining refugees for now.
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 protection under the Convention against Torture (CAT). There have been reports of this happening across the country, and immigrants are fighting against this policy through a lawsuit. In case you are detained and told you could be sent to another country, you can learn how to request release from detention. 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 is 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. However, if you are from one of 40 countries, USCIS has paused making decisions on almost all immigration benefits, including SIJS. You can still submit an application, but USCIS will not make a decision until it lifts the pause. Learn more here.
There is a new $250 fee to apply for SIJS.
If you apply for SIJS before May 10, 2026, USCIS is supposed to automatically consider your case for “deferred action.” Deferred action protects you from deportation and allows you to apply for a work permit. However, USCIS appears to be denying deferred action for many SIJS applicants.
If you apply for SIJS on or after May 10, 2026, you will no longer be considered for deferred action automatically. Instead, you will have to submit a separate request, but it may not be granted. See this USCIS policy memorandum.
If you currently have a work permit based on SIJS deferred action, your work permit is still valid, unless you receive a notice from USCIS ending your deferred action. There are some reports of USCIS ending SIJS deferred action for people who already received it.
Immigrants are fighting the negative changes to SIJS in a lawsuit.
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. Learn more about immigration options if you are under 18 years old.
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).
If you previously had CBP One parole, your parole may be valid again for now. Previously the U.S. government attempted to end CBP One parole early, and in March 2026, a court ruled that terminating CBP One parole early was unlawful. However, there are reports of the government sending new termination notices, meaning it may be trying to terminate CBP One Parole again. Learn more here.
If you currently have Family Reunification Parole (FRP), your parole and work permit remain valid for now. On December 12, 2025, the government announced that it would end parole on January 14, 2026 for most people who currently have FRP, but immigrants challenged this termination through a lawsuit.
Many people who received 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 for other immigration options 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 early 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. If you are eligible to use CBP Home, you may be able to get help with buying a plane ticket, and receive a stipend once you have left. The stipend is currently $2600. Learn more about CBP Home.
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 to the U.S.
The U.S. government has announced several travel and visa restrictions on different countries. Some countries have multiple restrictions imposed on them. Learn about each country’s restrictions here.
Travel restrictions for 40 countries: The U.S. government is now restricting travel to the U.S. for citizens of 40 countries. Some countries have “full restrictions,” and others have “partial restrictions.” For all 40 countries, there are exceptions to the restrictions. You can still travel to the U.S if you are a Lawful Permanent Resident, if you received a valid visa before January 1, 2026, if you have dual citizenship and your other country is not restricted, if you are a certain type of athlete, if you are a medical doctor, and if you are in some specific visa categories, mostly related to government duties. Learn more. There used to be more exceptions to the restrictions, but the government removed them in January 2026.
Full Restrictions: Citizens of countries with full restrictions will not be issued immigrant visas or non-immigrant visas, with the exceptions listed above. If you have won asylum, the process of bringing a spouse or child from one of these countries is also paused. The countries are: Afghanistan, Burkina Faso, Burma (Myanmar), Chad, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Mali, Niger, the Republic of Congo, Palestine, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria and Yemen.
Partial Restrictions: Citizens of countries with partial restrictions will not be issued immigrant visas or some types of non-immigrant visas (B-1, B2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas), with the exceptions listed above. If you have won asylum, the process of bringing a spouse or child from one of these countries is also paused. The countries are: Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burundi, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Gabon, the Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
More Partial Restriction: Citizens of Turkmenistan will not be issued immigrant visas, with the exceptions listed above. If you have won asylum, the process of bringing a spouse or child from Turkmenistan is also paused. But citizens of Turkmenistan may still receive non-immigrant visas.
Tourist or business visa bonds for 50 countries: Citizens of 50 specific countries now need to pay a $5,000-$15,000 “visa bond” to the U.S. government before they can travel to the U.S., if they are granted a tourist or business visa.
The 50 countries are Algeria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Bangladesh, Benin, Bhutan, Botswana, Burundi, Cambodia, Cabo Verde, the Central African Republic, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Djibouti, Dominica, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, the Gambia, Georgia, Grenada, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Kyrgyzstan, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, Sao Tome and Principe, Senegal, Seychelles, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Read more.
Immigrant visa processing pause for 75 countries: The U.S. government has stopped processing immigrant visas for 75 countries. Immigrant visas are for people who wish to immigrate to the United States to live permanently. This pause should not affect non-immigrant visas such as tourist and temporary work visas, unless the country has a different travel restriction. The pause should also only affect people outside the United States, not those already inside the United States. Read more. Immigrant families are challenging the visa processing pause through a lawsuit.
The 75 countries are: Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
Temporary restrictions related to Ebola: Starting on May 18, 2026, the U.S. has paused visa services in the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan, and is blocking entry to the U.S. for some people who have traveled through these countries in the last 21 days. The restrictions are supposed to be temporary and do NOT apply to U.S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and U.S. military and government workers. Read about the visa pause and the travel restrictions.
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.