02/28/2026
THE WILLIAM WILBERFORCE CENTER
For Justice & Human Rights
NEW USCIS POLICIES IMPACTING ASYLUM APPLICANTS, REFUGEES, AND PEOPLE FROM “HIGH-RISK” COUNTRIES
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has implemented new policies that significantly impact the processing of various immigration applications. These changes include pauses on final decisions for many benefits requests and the re-review — and possible reprocessing — of previously approved cases.
These policies are expected to cause substantial delays not only for the categories listed below, but for many applications submitted to USCIS.
WHO IS AFFECTED?
1. Individuals from “High-Risk” Countries
Certain restrictions apply to individuals born in or citizens of countries designated as “high-risk” under the June 4 Presidential Proclamation (updated December 16).
Countries identified include:
Afghanistan, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burma, Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Dominica, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Gabon, The Gambia, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Malawi, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, individuals with Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, South Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Togo, Tonga, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Additional countries may be added in the future.
Current Impacts:
USCIS has paused final decisions on most pending applications for individuals from these countries, regardless of date of entry.
Affected applications include:
Nonimmigrant visas (H-1B, TN, O-1, etc.)
Green card applications
Applications for U.S. citizenship (including already scheduled oath ceremonies)
USCIS has stated it will re-examine previously approved applications.
Individuals may be called in for additional interviews.
Nationality from one of these countries may be treated as a significant negative discretionary factor in certain applications (such as extensions, change of status requests, or adjustment of status).
2. Asylum Seekers and Applicants for Withholding of Removal
USCIS has paused final processing of all Form I-589 asylum and withholding of removal applications, regardless of nationality.
This includes:
Approvals
Denials
Administrative closures
USCIS may still:
Review case files
Schedule and conduct interviews
However, no final decisions will be issued at this time.
Individuals may continue to apply for asylum but should consult an immigration attorney to understand how this policy may affect their case.
3. Refugees
USCIS has paused processing of green card applications for refugees admitted to the United States between:
January 21, 2021 – February 20, 2025
USCIS plans to:
Re-review refugee applications
Potentially re-interview applicants
Re-review derivative family members and follow-to-join refugees admitted during this period
PROCESSING DELAYS EXPECTED
These policy changes are likely to create widespread processing delays across many USCIS benefit categories — including applications not directly listed above.
WHEN WILL THESE PAUSES END?
As of February 27, 2026, USCIS has not announced an end date.
WHAT SHOULD YOU DO?
Contact a licensed immigration attorney to discuss how these changes may affect your case.
SOURCE & CREDIT
This informational summary is based on guidance and policy analysis prepared by the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA).
IMPORTANT NOTICE
This information is intended for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. You should not act or rely on any information contained in this flyer without consulting a competent, licensed immigration attorney.
