USCIS has recently announced several policy updates that may affect pending immigration cases and future applications. We’ve summarized the key points below to help you understand what’s changing and what it may mean for you.

PAUSE ON AFFIRMATIVE ASYLUM CASES AND REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS FOR PEOPLE FROM CERTAIN COUNTRIES

USCIS has issued a new policy ordering officers to pause the following cases:

• All pending affirmative asylum applications, no matter the applicant’s country of origin.
• Pending immigration applications (such as green card, work permit, travel document and naturalization applications) filed by individuals from 19 countries identified as “high-risk.” Those countries are Afghanistan, Myanmar, Chad, the Republic of Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen, Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan and Venezuela.

This pause will remain in place until USCIS issues new guidance.

In addition, USCIS will re-review previously approved applications for people from these 19 countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021. These reviews may include required interviews.

Please note that if you are from Mexico, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala, or any other country not listed above, your case is only affected by this update if you have an application for asylum with USCIS.

SHORTER VALIDITY PERIODS FOR SOME WORK PERMITS

In a separate update, USCIS has changed how long certain Employment Authorization Documents (EADs)—also known as work permits—can be valid. The agency says shorter validity periods will allow for more frequent security checks.

For people in the categories below, initial and renewal work permits will now be valid for up to 18 months (instead of the previous 5 years). This applies to applications pending or filed on or after December 5, 2025.

• Applicants with pending green card applications
• Refugees and asylees
• Individuals granted withholding of removal
• Applicants with pending asylum/withholding cases
• Applicants for suspension of deportation, cancellation of removal, or NACARA relief

For people in the categories below, work permits will have a maximum 1-year validity (or the end of the authorized parole or TPS period, if that date is earlier). These rules apply to all applications pending or filed on or after July 22, 2025:

• Refugee parolees
• TPS recipients and pending applicants
• Parole recipients
• Spouses of entrepreneur parolees

Please note that this update does not change the validity of work permits based on DACA, U Visas, or T- Visas.

USCIS says these steps are part of a broader effort to strengthen screening, prevent fraud, and ensure immigration benefits are granted only to individuals who meet all security requirements.

WHAT CLIENTS SHOULD DO NOW

• Continue attending all biometrics appointments and interviews—they may become more frequent.
• Expect possible delays, especially if you have an asylum case or are from a country affected by the policy memo.
• Renew your work permit early—we recommend filing 180 days before expiration whenever possible.
• Continue to look for updates from our office. We will keep you informed about any new immigration changes.

Immigration lawyer Inna Scott and her team at Global Law Advocates specialize in helping immigrants of all kinds gain legal status and other immigration benefits in the United States. To consult with an experienced attorney about your immigration options, call us at 206-774-8758 or send us an email at info@globallawadvocates.com