UPDATE: USCIS Asylum Hold & New Visa Processing Suspension

‍Updated: January 14, 2026

Last month, we shared an update on a USCIS Policy Memorandum issued December 1, 2025, announcing a pause on the adjudication of all pending asylum applications, regardless of nationality, along with adjudicative holds on certain immigration benefit applications filed by individuals from countries designated as “high-risk” under Presidential Proclamation 10949. These measures could result in significant delays, additional vetting or interviews, and even re-review of already approved benefits for some individuals who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.

On December 16, 2025, Presidential Proclamation 10998 added approximately 20 countries and entities to the U.S. travel restrictions, including Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Laos, Sierra Leone, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and individuals holding Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents. These restrictions apply to immigrant visas and certain nonimmigrant categories for nationals outside the U.S. without a valid visa.

Following this, on January 1, 2026, USCIS issued a policy memo expanding its adjudication hold to include pending applications from the newly added countries. The memo directs continued review of pending and certain already approved benefit requests from these nationals.

Yesterday, January 14, 2026, the U.S. State Department announced that it will suspend processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026. The suspension applies to immigrant (permanent residence) visas and is intended to tighten screening related to potential “public charge” concerns. Non-immigrant visas (such as tourist, business, and student visas) are not covered, though additional vetting measures may be applied.  

What This Means for You

USCIS Asylum Applications

USCIS has placed an adjudicative hold on all pending asylum applications (Form I-589), regardless of country of origin, meaning final decisions are on pause while expanded review and vetting occur. During this pause, your case may undergo additional review, vetting, or even supplemental interviews.

USCIS Benefit Applications from Travel Ban Countries

USCIS is also holding and reviewing pending benefit applications for nationals of the 19 countries designated in Presidential Proclamation 10949 and ~20 countries from Presidential Proclamation 10998, which include: Afghanistan, Burma (Myanmar), Burundi, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Laos, Libya, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Togo, Turkmenistan, Venezuela, Yemen, Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, South Sudan, Syria, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Dominica, Gabon, The Gambia, Malawi, Mauritania, Nigeria, Senegal, Tanzania, Tonga, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and individuals holding Palestinian Authority–issued travel documents.

Approved benefits for nationals from these countries who entered the U.S. after January 20, 2021 may be subject to re-review, which could include additional requests, interviews, or reconsideration.  

Immigrant Visa Processing Suspension (75 Countries)

• The State Department’s new directive will pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, beginning January 21, 2026. This directive is part of a broader strategy to reinforce public charge screening criteria. The list of 75 countries include:

While the full country list has been reported in major outlets, official government release of the complete list is still pending. Example affected countries include Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, Somalia, Brazil, Nigeria, Thailand, among others.  

• Non-immigrant visa categories remain operational, though consular officers may apply more stringent vetting for eligibility.  

Practical Impacts

• Longer wait times for asylum adjudication and most benefit requests subject to holds and reviews.

• Uncertainty for individuals with pending green card, work authorization, family petitions, and other benefits from the designated travel ban countries.

• Immigrant visa applicants from the 75-country list may face refusals or indefinite pauses at U.S. consulates starting January 21, 2026.

• Consultation with an experienced immigration attorney remains strongly advisable given the evolving nature of these policies.

If you are impacted by the recent USCIS or State Department policy changes, our team of experienced immigration attorneys are here to help. We understand how disruptive these changes can be and will review your situation, explain how the new policies may affect you, and help you plan next steps. If you have concerns about your case or upcoming travel, you can book a contact us at info@mcenteelaw.com or give us a call at +1 (773)828-9544.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. Is the asylum adjudication pause permanent?
A: No. The pause remains in effect until USCIS lifts it, and there is currently no set end date in the policy memo.  

Q2. Does this affect only high-risk countries?
A: The asylum pause applies to all nationalities. The benefit application hold specifically affects nationals from the travel ban countries listed in Presidential Proclamation 10949 (19 countries). [add the 20 more from the PP 10988]

Q3. Will this impact people already approved for benefits?
A: USCIS may conduct re-reviews of already approved benefits for certain individuals from the designated countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021, and if it deems it appropriate, before.  

Q4. What is the new immigrant visa suspension?
A: The U.S. State Department announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, effective January 21, 2026, tied to stricter public charge screening.  

Q5. Does the visa suspension affect non-immigrant visas?
A: No — non-immigrant visa categories (such as tourist, business, or student visas) are not suspended under the January 14 directive.  

Q6. What should I do if I’m impacted?
A: Contact your immigration attorney, or book a consultation with us to discuss your case specifics, review any notices from USCIS or the U.S. Embassy/Consulate, and plan accordingly before travel or filing new applications.

If you would like to review the original government guidance and independent reporting referenced above, here are some resources:

U.S. Government Resources

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — Policy Memorandum on the Hold and Review of Pending Asylum and Immigration Benefit Applications

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) — Hold and Review of USCIS Benefit Applications Filed by Aliens from Additional High-Risk Countries

• U.S. Department of State — Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at High Risk of Public Benefits Usage

Major News Coverage

• Reuters — Trump administration to suspend immigrant visa processing for 75 nations

• NPR — U.S. to suspend immigrant visas from 75 countries over public assistance concerns

• Associated Press (AP News) — US will suspend immigrant visa processing from 75 countries over public assistance concerns

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