Asylumist

New Tool to Monitor USCIS’s Progress (or Lack Thereof)

The American Immigration Council (AIC) has a new web page that collects and organizes statistical information from . Here, we’ll examine a few of the trends revealed by AIC, with an emphasis on asylum and asylum-adjacent applications. https://asylumist.com/2026/05/13/new-tool-to-monitor-usciss-progress-or-lack-thereof/

Green Card Processing for Asylees Is Down 95% Since President Trump Took Office

A new report from the Cato Institute found that USCIS under the Trump Administration has slashed overall Green Card processing by about 50%. Certain categories of Green Card applicants–including asylees and refugees–have been hit much harder. https://asylumist.com/2026/04/29/green-card-processing-for-asylees-is-down-95-since-president-trump-took-office/

New–and Dangerous–Questions at the Asylum Office

Recently, we’ve been seeing some unusual questions during interviews. Since this is the Trump Administration, you can probably guess that the new questions are not designed to make life easier for asylum seekers. https://asylumist.com/2026/04/22/new-and-dangerous-questions-at-the-asylum-office/

USCIS Ends Some “Holds,” Including on Certain Asylum Seekers

In a rare bit of good news from the Trump Administration, USCIS has issued an update indicating that some holds have been lifted for seekers and others. https://asylumist.com/2026/04/08/uscis-ends-some-holds-including-on-certain-asylum-seekers/

Affirmative Asylum Cases Dismissed and Sent to Court Without an Interview

seekers who were living their lives, working and going to school, with at least some measure of stability, suddenly found themselves in imminent danger of deportation, and in some cases, detained in a remote location. https://asylumist.com/2026/04/01/affirmative-asylum-cases-dismissed-and-sent-to-court-without-an-interview/

A German Right-Wing Influencer Has Requested Asylum in the U.S. Does She Have a Case?

Ben Harville examines whether the German seeker has a case under the Trump Administration's new asylum regime. https://asylumist.com/2026/03/25/a-german-right-wing-influencer-has-requested-asylum-in-the-u-s-does-she-have-a-case/

Interview with an Immigration Judge: Larry Burman

We had some technical issues/cyber attacks last week, but the blog seems to be working now. So I am re-posting this interview with one of my favorite IJs: https://asylumist.com/2026/03/11/interview-with-an-immigration-judge-larry-burman/

Interview with an Immigration Judge: Larry Burman

Lawrence “Larry” Burman served as an Immigration Judge from 1998 until his recent retirement at the end of 2025. The Asylumist caught up with Judge Burman to discuss his career, the changes he’s witnessed over the years, and his view of the Immigration Courts today. https://asylumist.com/2026/03/11/interview-with-an-immigration-judge-larry-burman/

U.S. to Refugees: “Welcome to America! Now, Go to Jail!”

A new memo from USCIS and ICE seeks to detain all who have been in the U.S. for more than a year and who have not yet received their Green Cards. https://asylumist.com/2026/03/04/u-s-to-refugees-welcome-to-america-now-go-to-jail/

News from the Asylum Office: Blocking Work Permits & Updating Statistics

Here, we'll discuss new restrictions on EADs for seekers, as well as recent statistics that show a steep decline in Asylum Office approvals. https://asylumist.com/2026/02/25/news-from-the-asylum-office-blocking-work-permits-updating-statistics/

Board of Imitation Appeals

A new rule from the BIA will almost entirely eliminate due process for non-citizens at the administrative appellate level. https://asylumist.com/2026/02/17/board-of-imitation-appeals/