In early December 2025, USCIS issued a sweeping new policy memorandum titled “Hold and Review of all Pending Asylum Applications and all USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from High-Risk Countries”.
The announcement comes in the wake of a deadly ambush near the White House, where an Afghan national shot and killed one National Guard soldier and critically wounded another.
The new USCIS policy immediately suspends key immigration processes as a security precaution. This is an unprecedented move: it freezes certain asylum cases and many benefit applications indefinitely, reflecting how seriously the government is taking recent events.
For anyone with a pending immigration case, this pause is a game-changer. In the sections below, we break down what happened, why USCIS acted, who is affected, and—most importantly—what you should do now.
Reason for the Pause
The immediate trigger was the November 27, 2025 shooting in Washington, D.C. Authorities say a 29-year-old Afghan asylum-seeker, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, ambushed two National Guard members on duty. One soldier was killed and the other critically injured.
The incident has raised alarm about how the gunman obtained status in the U.S. Although Lakanwal entered under a Biden-era Afghan resettlement program, his asylum application was approved under the Trump administration. President Trump reacted swiftly, labeling the shooting a terrorist attack and promising to tighten migration controls.
In a public statement (released via social media), Mr. Trump stated that the ambush proves “lax migration policies are the single greatest national security threat facing our nation”. He announced plans to “permanently pause migration from all Third World Countries” and to denaturalize or deport non-citizens deemed security risks.
In line with that, DHS and USCIS began a top-to-bottom review of immigration cases. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow immediately announced that the agency had “halted all asylum decisions until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”
In short, these tragic events have shifted the administration’s focus heavily toward national security and vetting. The result is an indefinite pause on many immigration benefits while authorities double-check who is coming into the country.
Who Is Affected by This Pause?
The USCIS memo specifies three broad categories of applications that are now on hold. These are:
- All Form I-589 asylum applications, for asylum or withholding of removal. Every pending asylum case is suspended, regardless of the applicant’s nationality. (Edlow’s statement makes clear even non-citizens already in the U.S. seeking asylum will see their cases paused while vetting is reviewed.)
- All pending benefit requests filed by nationals of certain “high-risk” countries, regardless of when they entered the U.S. In practice, this means if you were born in or hold citizenship from one of the 19 countries earlier placed on President Trump’s June 2025 travel ban list (for example, Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Venezuela, etc.), any USCIS application you filed – such as a green card (adjustment of status), visa petition, work permit (EAD), or change-of-status request – is on hold until further notice.
- Re-review of approved benefits for nationals of those countries who arrived on/after Jan. 20, 2021. If you already received an immigration benefit (for example, an approved green card, change-of-status, or OPT work authorization) and you are a national of one of the 19 listed countries and you entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021, USCIS will re-open and re-examine your case. This means even previously granted status (like an H-1B or permanent residence) could be subject to additional scrutiny or interviews.
In concrete terms, affected applications include forms like I-485 (adjustment of status), I-90 (green card renewals), I-131 (travel documents/advance parole), I-751 (removal of conditions), and others.
For example, if you have a pending H‑1B extension or an I-485 filed on your behalf and you were born in Iran (a country on the list), USCIS will place that application on hold. The goal of these measures is to vet individuals from countries deemed a security concern.
How Long Will the Pause Last For?
The short answer is: indefinitely, until USCIS or the courts say otherwise. The policy took effect immediately on Dec. 2, 2025, with no explicit end-date.
The USCIS memo itself does not give a timeline for when normal processing will resume. Instead, it directs agency staff to begin a thorough review process and to compile priorities. In fact, the memo notes that within 90 days of issuance, USCIS will prioritize cases for review and interviews. But that 90-day benchmark refers to internal planning, not reopening the hold. In the meantime, every applicable case remains on ice.
In practice, this means you should expect very long delays. USCIS will not process any held applications until the vetting review is complete, which could take many months. The agency has indicated that only the USCIS Director (or Deputy Director) can lift a hold on a particular case for extraordinary reasons.
For example, if a pending application is the subject of a lawsuit, or a judge orders it, USCIS can “make an exception” and resume that case. Otherwise, you should assume the freeze continues indefinitely. The uncertainty is the hardest part: no one can say when the holds will be lifted. You will have to follow USCIS announcements closely.
What This Means for You
If you have (or are planning to file) an immigration application, this pause directly affects you. Here’s what to expect and what you should do:
- Asylum applicants (Form I-589): If you filed for asylum (any nationality), your application is paused. USCIS explicitly stopped adjudicating all asylum cases. You will not receive a decision now, and won’t until after USCIS completes its security review. Be prepared for a very long wait. USCIS Director Edlow says processing is on hold “until we can ensure that every alien is vetted and screened to the maximum degree possible.”. This means even though you may have already done a credible fear interview or other initial steps, the case is parked. Keep your attorneys informed if you have one, and watch for any notices from USCIS.
- Applicants from the high-risk countries: If you were born in, or are a citizen of, one of the 19 countries on the list (e.g. Afghanistan, Cuba, Iran, Libya, Yemen, Somalia, etc.), any USCIS application you filed is on hold. This includes family-based or employer-sponsored green card applications, student visas, change of status, EAD renewals, travel documents – everything. None of these will be processed now. The hold applies regardless of where you are (inside or outside the U.S.) and regardless of when you applied. If USCIS has your case in its system, it will not move forward until after the review.
- Approved benefits are at risk of re-review: Importantly, if you already have a benefit approved (like a green card, STEM OPT, or change-of-status approval) and you are from one of those countries and entered after Jan. 20, 2021, USCIS will re-examine your status. In practice, USCIS may re-open your file, verify again that you met all requirements, or even require you to appear for a new interview. This is to “assess all national security and public safety threats” as the memo puts it. If you have such an approved status, watch for any USCIS notice asking you to report for an interview or submit updated information.
- Delays and uncertainty: In all cases above, expect massive delays. USCIS says its focus now is national security, not speed. You should not make any plans that assume quick USCIS action (for example, don’t plan travel or job changes based on pending EAD renewal). The agency may still send you communications – possibly Requests for Evidence (RFEs) or Notices of Intent to Deny – if they are reevaluating your case. If that happens, be ready to respond (with lawyer help if possible).
- Maintain your status: If you are in the U.S. on a nonimmigrant status (F-1, H-1B, etc.), it is critical you maintain it, because your green card or extension might be held up. Continue attending school, working as authorized, and file any routine extensions on time (if you can). The pause does not cancel your nonimmigrant status; it only delays the USCIS decision on benefit applications.
- Stay informed and keep records: Make sure USCIS has your current address and email, so you receive any new notices. Carefully read anything USCIS sends. If an expiration date (like on a work permit) is approaching, consult an attorney immediately about how to handle it.
- Seek legal guidance immediately: This is perhaps most important. The new policy is complex and unprecedented. An immigration lawyer can review your situation, explain how the changes apply to your case, and advise you on any alternatives. For example, if you have a pending case affected by the pause, your attorney might try to highlight any reasons why USCIS should expedite or exempt your case. If your application is already approved but being re-reviewed, an attorney can represent you in any new interview or appeal. In short, you should not navigate this alone.
Conclusion
This abrupt pause marks a significant shift in U.S. immigration policy. The Trump administration is clearly prioritizing national security vetting over speedy adjudication of visa and asylum claims. As a result, many immigration processes will be significantly delayed or put on indefinite hold.
For applicants and beneficiaries, it means waiting in limbo while USCIS takes extra time to double-check eligibility. On the broader scale, it demonstrates how a single security incident can cause immediate, sweeping changes to immigration law enforcement.
In practical terms, expect the immigration pipeline to slow dramatically. Any open case that falls under these categories will not be decided upon until USCIS finishes its new reviews. There is also uncertainty about whether and how quickly the holds will be lifted. The best approach is to stay patient, stay informed, and prepare for a longer process than usual. The focus now is on security and thorough vetting, which means routine cases will take a back seat for the foreseeable future.
The Law Offices of Anne Z. Sedki
We understand how stressful and confusing this news is for immigrants and families. The Law Offices of Anne Z. Sedki has deep experience guiding clients through rapidly changing immigration rules. Our office handles asylum, work visas, green cards, and removal defense – including cases involving the 19 countries on the list.
If you have a pending asylum application or any USCIS petition that might be on hold, you need expert legal help right away. Our attorneys can evaluate your case, advise you on the impact of these policy changes, and work directly with USCIS on your behalf. We know how to anticipate challenges and protect your rights even in uncertain times.
You do not have to face this pause alone. Contact us today for a consultation. We are ready to discuss your case in detail, explain all your options, and help you take the next steps to safeguard your immigration status. Let us put our expertise to work for you during this critical period.
