USCIS Resumes Asylum Processing for Non-High-Risk Countries After Freeze

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has partially lifted the blanket pause on affirmative asylum adjudications that was implemented in November 2025. Following a comprehensive security review, USCIS is now resuming the processing of asylum applications for individuals from "non-high-risk" countries who successfully clear enhanced vetting procedures. These new, strengthened screening measures include shortened validity periods for certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs), increased social media and financial vetting, and expanded background checks. However, the adjudicative freeze remains in effect for nationals of approximately 39 countries, predominantly in Africa and the Middle East, which are subject to separate travel ban restrictions. The resumption of processing is a critical development for millions of asylum seekers whose cases have been stalled for months. While this offers hope for many to finally receive decisions on their claims, which can lead to green card eligibility, the newly introduced enhanced vetting requirements and reduced EAD validity periods (from five years to 18 months) signify a much stricter and more rigorous adjudication environment moving forward.