The US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) has issued a policy memorandum halting decisions on all asylum applications, and immigration benefits for certain applicants pending a comprehensive review.
USCIS Halts Asylum decisions for all nationalities.
USCIS has halted all asylum decisions for all nationalities (including approvals, denials, or closure of cases), according to the agency. They state that this is pending a comprehensive review. However, people with previously scheduled interviews or court hearings should plan on attending until further notice.
USCIS to Re-examine Approved Immigration Benefits for Travel Ban Affected Applicants
The USCIS also announced that it will re-examine approved immigration benefits for nationals from the 19 countries subject to the June 4, 2025, travel ban (“travel ban countries”). This applies to those nationals who entered after January 20, 2021.
USCIS has now paused final decisions (approvals or denials) for all types of applications, including Citizenship Oath Ceremonies for applicants from the travel ban countries.
The 19 travel ban countries include Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.
We have received reports of applicants receiving telephone calls from USCIS officers cancelling their previously scheduled interview appointments.
USCIS Stops Processing Immigration Requests for Afghan Nationals
USCIS says it has indefinitely halted processing of “all immigration requests” for Afghan nationals.
Also, the State Department says it will indefinitely halt issuing non-immigrant and immigrant visas for people traveling with Afghan passports.
We will Continue to Monitor This Development
We will continue to monitor this development by the USCIS and post updates. Please speak to an experienced immigration attorney about your situation if you are wondering whether to file an immigration application at this time.
Thank you for reading this article. If you have questions about your immigration matter or need our help, please schedule an appointment at www.emenikelaw.com with our immigration lawyer, Attorney Doreen Emenike (626) 256 8500.
Read more: Parole in place for Undocumented Spouses of US citizens – when to file
Read more: Keeping Your Green Card After Marriage Fraud or Misrepresentation With a 237 (a)1)(H) waiver
Read More: Success Stories
