LOS ANGELES, CA, December 12, 2025 /24-7PressRelease/ -- What's Going On: USCIS's New Policy & What It Means

Recently — in response to Presidential Proclamation 10949 (PP 10949) — USCIS updated its policies to significantly tighten how it reviews a broad range of immigration benefit requests for individuals from certain "high-risk" countries. The changes include:

- Putting a hold on many pending applications, including asylum applications (I-589 Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal) and other benefit requests from nationals of the countries identified in PP 10949.
- Directing a re-review of previously approved benefit requests (green cards, status changes, extensions, etc.) for individuals from those countries who entered the U.S. on or after January 20, 2021.
- Instructing adjudicators to apply "country-specific factors" — as outlined in the proclamation — when exercising discretion over pending or future benefit requests.

In short: many asylum applicants and holders of pending or approved status who come from the affected countries are now facing indefinite delays, additional scrutiny, possible re-interview, or even referral to enforcement — regardless of prior approval.

What Changed (Compared with Previous Practice)

- Under prior policy, once a benefit request (asylum, adjustment, extension) was approved, or once an I-589 was filed, it would typically proceed subject only to standard processing delays, not special country-based review.
- Now, because of PP 10949, USCIS has instructed officers to treat applications from listed countries (or even previously approved requests) as "discretionary." That means country of origin becomes a significant negative factor by default for asylum or status-based benefit requests.
- For asylum seekers, even a properly filed I-589 may now be held — or effectively frozen — while USCIS conducts additional security/vetting procedures.

The net effect: many people who submitted applications in good faith — or even had them approved — are now subject to uncertainty, long delays, heightened risk, or case re-openings.

Who Is Impacted (Which Cases + Countries)

- Nationals of the 19 countries listed under PP 10949 (and potentially more, if the list expands) are subject to the new policy.
- Any pending application for asylum (I-589), or for immigration benefits (adjustment, stay extension, change of status, naturalization, etc.) filed by an individual from those countries, whether filed before or after the policy update, may be placed on hold.
- Individuals from these countries whose benefits were previously approved — e.g., asylum granted, status change approved, green card pending — may now face re-review or possible referral to law enforcement depending on their entry date (on or after January 20, 2021).

What This Means in Practice

For Asylum Applicants
- Pending I-589s may be "frozen" — no interview scheduled, no adjudication, possibly indefinite delay even if filed long ago.
For Adjustment, Change-of-Status, or Other Benefit Requests
- Pending cases may be delayed.
- Previously approved cases may be reopened or re-evaluated, especially if the beneficiary entered after January 20, 2021.
- Applicants may be referred to enforcement or face additional vetting (interviews, background checks, etc.).

About the Firm:

Bolour / Carl Immigration Group, APC is a boutique California-based immigration law firm that has represented thousands of clients worldwide since opening their doors in 1996. The firm provides individualized support in matters before USCIS, immigration courts, federal courts, and consulates. Their diverse team—made up of immigrants, native-born Americans, African Americans, Latinos, Asians, Gen Xers, Millennials, LGBTQ individuals, and Veterans—draws upon their range of lived experiences to better understand clients' concerns and the challenges they face. They're dedicated to helping individuals, families, and businesses pursue their immigration legal goals with steadfast support.

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