USCIS Halts Processing For Pending Asylum Applications And Immigration Benefit Request From 19 'High-Risk' Countries

On Dec. 2, 2025, USCIS issued a policy memorandum PM-602-0192 directing officers to place an adjudicative hold on

1. all pending asylum applications (Form I-589), regardless of nationality, and;
2. most pending immigration benefit requests – such as green cards, adjustment of status, travel documents, naturalization, etc. – filed by nationals of 19 countries designated as "high risk," regardless of the entry date.

For nationals from above-mentioned 19 "high-risk" countries, the memorandum also mandates a comprehensive re-review of certain previously approved or pending cases if the applicant entered the United States on or after Jan. 20, 2021. This may include re-interviews, additional vetting, identity verification, or further security-based screenings.