Asylum Decisions Resume for Non-High-Risk Cases
The Homeland Security Department lifted its ban on reviewing asylum applications, allowing processing to restart for thoroughly screened seekers from certain countries. This change affects the 4 million applications that had been paused since November 2025, when an Afghan national shot two National Guardsmen in Washington, D.C. One Guard member died the next day, prompting then-DHS Secretary Kristi Noem to call the pause a national security necessity.
Countries Still Under Restriction
The pause continues for about 40 countries labeled as "high risk," including Iran, Afghanistan, and Syria, along with mostly African nations. A DHS spokesperson stated that USCIS will focus resources on vetting higher-risk cases while resuming others. This restriction leaves asylum seekers from these areas waiting indefinitely amid ongoing travel bans.
Initial Pause and Security Concerns
The Trump administration imposed the pause in November 2025 after the D.C. shooting, halting all asylum reviews as part of broader immigration restrictions. USCIS oversees applications for visas, naturalizations, and asylum. Kristi Noem described the measure as indefinite to address security threats, leading to delays for millions.
Additional Immigration Halts in Place
The administration also maintained a pause on issuing immigrant visas for 75 countries and reviewed refugee statuses from the prior administration. USCIS announced plans to re-examine refugee admissions, with some cases referred to Immigration and Customs Enforcement for potential deportation. These steps reflect a wider effort to tighten legal migration channels beyond the asylum halt.
Link to DHS Operations and Worker Strain
A partial shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security has dragged on, affecting agencies like USCIS and Immigration and Customs Enforcement. TSA employees received back pay on Monday for at least two full paychecks after Trump signed an order. This funding move highlights how budget disputes impact DHS functions, including immigration processing that supports asylum reviews.
The sources also report that major U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Houston, and Philadelphia, have shorter security lines after TSA workers received back pay.
Consequences for Asylum Seekers
The change reduces wait times for hundreds of thousands of people, potentially allowing quicker refuge claims. However, those from the 40 restricted countries face ongoing uncertainty, with no clear timeline for resolution.
The sources also report that the pause on asylum applications affected nearly 4 million cases, which had been paused since November 2025.