As a dedicated immigration law firm, Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. is closely monitoring the rapidly changing landscape of U.S. asylum policy. The recent announcement by the Trump Administration to halt all asylum decisions by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) officers has created significant uncertainty and immediate concern for our clients and the broader immigrant community.

The order, issued in the wake of a recent security incident, directs USCIS officers to pause all approvals, denials, or administrative closures of pending affirmative asylum applications (cases filed with USCIS, not in Immigration Court). This temporary measure is reportedly in place to allow the government to “ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”

What This Pause Means for Asylum Applicants

This abrupt halt is a profound development that impacts thousands of individuals and families seeking safety in the United States.

• For Affirmative Asylum Applicants: If you have an asylum interview completed or pending with USCIS, you should expect an indefinite delay in receiving your final decision. Officers have been instructed to continue interviews and case reviews but to stop short of entering a decision. This applies to all nationalities.

• For Defensive Asylum Cases: The order specifically targets decisions by USCIS asylum officers. Cases already in removal proceedings before the Immigration Courts (known as Defensive Asylum) are decided by Immigration Judges at the Department of Justice, and these proceedings are generally expected to continue, though overall judicial instability and the recent, dramatic decline in grant rates remain major concerns.

• Wider Implications for Security and Vetting: This pause is framed as part of a broader push to tighten security and re-vet applicants. The administration has also announced plans to review past asylum approvals made under the prior administration and has taken steps to pause certain legal immigration processing for Afghan nationals. This signals a systemic shift toward more rigorous, and likely much slower, security checks across the entire immigration spectrum.

The Unstable Climate for Asylum Seekers

This new decision comes on top of an already challenging environment for asylum seekers in 2025. Over the last year, we have seen:

• Plummeting Grant Rates: Asylum success rates at the Immigration Court level have fallen by nearly half, demonstrating a systemic shift toward limiting approvals.

• Stricter Border Policies: New rules have suspended the right to seek asylum for those apprehended between ports of entry and introduced mandatory, non-waivable application fees.

• Increased Scrutiny: The administration has tightened evidentiary demands and initiated reviews of past refugee admissions.

Our Guidance: Do Not Delay

For anyone currently in the asylum process or considering filing an application, the stakes have never been higher. The combination of legislative changes, policy shifts, and this new decision pause creates an urgent need for experienced legal counsel.

The best defense against a constantly moving target is a thorough, meticulously prepared case. Even during a decision pause, the work of preparing a strong application, gathering evidence, and establishing legal eligibility must continue.

Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. is committed to providing comprehensive and zealous advocacy for our clients during this volatile time. We are closely tracking all legal and administrative developments and stand ready to advise you on how this new pause, as well as the existing complex rules, impacts your specific case.

Need to Discuss Your Asylum Case?

If you are an affirmative asylum applicant facing an indefinite delay, are in removal proceedings, or are preparing to file for asylum, do not navigate this complex and perilous landscape alone.

Contact us today for a confidential consultation to understand your rights, assess your current status, and develop a strategic action plan.

Disclaimer: This blog post contains general information and is for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice and does not create an attorney-client relationship between you and Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. Immigration laws and fee schedules are subject to frequent change. The information provided herein may not reflect the most current legal developments. You should not act or refrain from acting based on information contained in this post without seeking professional counsel from an attorney licensed in your jurisdiction. Cohen, Tucker + Ades P.C. expressly disclaims all liability in respect to actions taken or not taken based on any or all of the contents of this post.

Sources: 

PBS News |Trump administration halts all asylum decisions after shooting of National Guard members

CBS News | Officials instructed to pause all asylum decisions in wake of National Guard shooting

The Washington Post | U.S. halts all asylum decisions, pauses visas for Afghan nationals

TRAC Immigration | Immigration Court Asylum Grant Rates Cut in Half