USCIS Resumes Asylum Processing for Non-Travel-Ban Countries: What You Need to Know

The Asylum Processing Freeze Has Been Partially Lifted

On March 30, 2026, the Department of Homeland Security confirmed that it has lifted the adjudicative hold on asylum cases for applicants from countries that are not on the expanded travel ban list. This is a significant development for thousands of people who have been waiting months for their asylum cases to move forward.

DHS stated that it "has lifted the adjudicative hold for thoroughly screened asylum seekers from non high-risk countries," while adding that the change allows the agency to "focus resources on continued rigorous national security and public safety vetting for higher-risk cases."

If you have a pending affirmative asylum case and you are from a country that is not on the 39-country travel ban list, this news likely affects you. Here is what you need to understand about this change and what steps you should consider taking.

Background: Why Was Asylum Processing Frozen?

The freeze began in late November 2025 following a shooting incident in Washington, D.C., in which an Afghan national allegedly opened fire on two National Guard members, killing one and seriously injuring another. In response, USCIS imposed a broad hold on asylum adjudications across the board, regardless of the applicant's country of origin.

For approximately four months, nearly all affirmative asylum cases were paused. Interviews were not scheduled. Decisions were not issued. Employment authorization documents (EADs) tied to pending asylum cases were delayed. The freeze affected people from dozens of countries who had no connection to the incident that prompted the policy change.

What Is Changing Now

Cases That Are Resuming

If you are from a country that is not on the 39-country travel ban list, USCIS should begin processing your affirmative asylum case again. This includes:

• Asylum interview scheduling: USCIS asylum offices should begin scheduling interviews for cases that were on hold
• Asylum decisions: Cases that were fully interviewed before the freeze but awaiting a decision should begin receiving outcomes
• Employment authorization: Work permit applications (EADs) tied to pending asylum cases should resume processing

Cases That Remain Frozen

For nationals of the 39 countries on the expanded travel ban, the freeze continues. According to reporting from multiple sources, this affects all immigration applications from those countries, including asylum, work permits, green card adjustments, and even citizenship applications. The 39 travel ban countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Cuba, Haiti, Venezuela, Somalia, Nigeria, Senegal, Chad, Eritrea, Libya, Sudan, South Sudan, Tanzania, Syria, Yemen, and others.

What You Should Do Now

If you have a pending asylum case that may be affected by this change, here are concrete steps to take:

1. Verify Your Case Status

Check the USCIS online case status tool using your receipt number. If your case was on hold, you may see updated status information in the coming days and weeks as USCIS processes the backlog. Keep in mind that it may take time for all cases to be updated in the system.

2. Confirm Your Address With USCIS

If you have moved since filing your asylum application, it is critical that you update your address with USCIS immediately. Interview notices and decisions are sent by mail. If USCIS sends a notice to an old address and you miss your interview, your case could be denied. File a change of address online at uscis.gov or by calling the USCIS Contact Center.

3. Update Your Evidence and Documentation

Four months have passed since the freeze began. If your circumstances have changed, if conditions in your home country have shifted, or if you have new evidence supporting your claim, gather and organize those documents now. Being prepared will help your case move more smoothly when your interview is scheduled.

4. Renew Your Work Permit if Needed

If your employment authorization document (EAD) has expired or is about to expire, file for renewal as soon as possible. With processing resuming, USCIS should begin adjudicating pending EAD applications tied to asylum cases. Check whether your EAD qualifies for an automatic extension while your renewal is pending.

5. Contact an Immigration Attorney

Every asylum case is different. An attorney can help you understand whether this policy change applies to your specific situation, review your case for any issues that need attention, and prepare you for your asylum interview. If you cannot afford an attorney, legal aid organizations in Massachusetts such as the Political Asylum/Immigration Representation Project (PAIR) and Greater Boston Legal Services offer free or low-cost assistance to asylum seekers.

What This Means in the Bigger Picture

This partial lifting of the asylum freeze is taking place against the backdrop of the ongoing DHS shutdown, which has now lasted over 45 days and is the longest in U.S. history. Immigration enforcement operations have continued during the shutdown, while other DHS functions have been disrupted.

The policy change also comes alongside other significant immigration developments, including the DOJ's admission that ICE courthouse arrests relied on erroneous legal justification, the passage of the PROTECT Act by the Massachusetts House of Representatives (which would limit ICE enforcement in state courthouses), and ongoing litigation over TPS terminations for Haiti and other countries.

DHS has emphasized that "maximum screening and vetting for all aliens continues unabated." The lifting of the hold does not mean a relaxation of security measures. It means that the blanket freeze is being replaced by a more targeted approach that maintains enhanced vetting while allowing cases from lower-risk countries to proceed.

Frequently Asked Questions