Trump administration scaling back asylum crackdown after D.C. National Guard shooting

The Trump administration is lifting a pause on asylum adjudications for most cases, but maintaining the freeze for nationals from 39 high-risk countries under the expanded travel ban. This follows a November 2025 suspension triggered by a shooting incident involving an Afghan asylum grantee. The policy shift allows USCIS to prioritize vetting for higher-risk applicants while other legal immigration applications from banned countries remain paused.

DHS confirmed USCIS has lifted the adjudicative hold for thoroughly screened asylum seekers from non high-risk countries, focusing resources on rigorous vetting for cases from 39 nations including Senegal, Somalia, Nigeria, Afghanistan, Iran, Laos, Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela. The original pause halted processing of about 4 million asylum applications filed outside immigration court. Related freezes on work permits, green cards, and citizenship for these nationals persist, part of broader Trump policies to tighten legal immigration and address national security concerns post the November 26, 2025, shooting of National Guard members.

This is general immigration news, not legal advice. For advice about your situation, consult a licensed immigration attorney.