Featured Issue: Sweeping Immigration Restrictions in the Aftermath of National Guard Shooting
Following the November 26, 2025, shooting of two West Virginia National Guard members in Washington, D.C., the Administration announced multiple policy changes significantly restricting legal immigration.
Recent Agency Memos and Announcements
- USCIS issued a Policy Memo (PM-602-0192) that:
- Halts adjudication of asylum applications across all nationalities,
- Halts decisions on all benefit applications for noncitizens from “high-risk” countries, defined as the 19 countries named in President Trump’s June 2025 travel ban, and
- Orders a reexamination of all individuals from high-risk countries who had a benefit request approved since January 20, 2021
- USCIS ordered personnel to review and potentially re-interview all refugee approvals during the Biden Administration, from January 21, 2021, to February 20, 2025—approximately 200,000 cases.
- USCIS issued new guidance directing officers to weigh country-specific information in adjudications.
- DOS paused visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
- USCIS reduced the validity of Employment Authorization Documents (EADs) from 5 years to 18 months for various applicants including asylees, refugees, and adjustment applicants.
Read AILA’s press release on the policies implemented in the wake of the shooting.
Highlighted Resources
- Practice Alert: Sweeping Immigration Restrictions Announced in the Wake of the National Guard Shooting
- Practice Alert: Pause on All Decisions for Travel Ban Countries
- USCIS PM Halts All Asylum Applications and All Benefit Applications from "High-Risk" Countries
- Practice Alert: DOS Pause on Afghan Visa Issuance
- USCIS Updates Policy Manual: INA §212(f) and PP 10949 Now Guide Discretion in Certain Immigration Benefit Requests
Browse the Featured Issue: Sweeping Immigration Restrictions in the Aftermath of National Guard Shooting collection
USCIS Policy Memo Directs Hold and Review of Pending AOS Applications Under the DV Program
USCIS issued a policy memo (PM-602-0193) placing an immediate hold on all adjustment of status, ancillary benefits, and associated waiver applications for applicants under the Diversity Immigrant Visa (DV) Program. It also directs a comprehensive review of program policies and procedures.
Client Flyer: New USCIS Policies Impacting Asylum Applicants, Refugees, and People from “High-Risk” Countries
AILA provides a flyer to inform your clients of USCIS policies pausing processing for many benefits requests and ordering re-review of certain approved applications. The flyer is available as a generic PDF as well as a Word version you can customize with your firm's information. Please share.
Call Your Representative: Oppose the Indefinite Pause on Asylum Applications and Immigration Processing
Call your representative to oppose the asylum and immigration pause and demand USCIS return to fair, timely processing for our communities.
Take Action: Tell Congress to Oppose the Indefinite Pause on Asylum and Immigration Processing
Urge Congress to oppose the indefinite pause on asylum and immigration processing and urge DHS to rescind these harmful policies.
Border Report: Immigration Lawyers Decry New Asylum Policies
Border Report highlights AILA's recent press briefing about the Trump Administration's latest far-reaching immigration restrictions. AILA Executive Director Ben Johnson stated: "These sweeping restrictions will not make our nation safer."
Policy Brief: Severe Immigration Restrictions Will Waste Taxpayer Resources and Bring Hardship, Not Make America Safer
Following the 11/26/25 shooting of two National Guard members in Washington D.C., the Trump Administration announced several new immigration restrictions under the guise of national security concerns. This brief analyzes these new restrictions, why they are not needed, and policy recommendations.
Practice Alert: Pause on All Decisions for Travel Ban Countries
AILA National alerts the membership regarding pause on final adjudications of all form types for nationals from travel ban countries. AILA will continue to provide further updates as they become available. Members are encouraged to submit reports to the USCIS Operations Committee.
Call for Examples: Cases Impacted by the National Security Pause on Adjudications
We are collecting information on the impact of the sweeping immigration restrictions implemented in late 2025 for travel ban countries and a halt on adjudicating all asylum applications. These examples will be used for advocacy and education purposes, both for external partners and AILA members.
USCIS Announces Establishment of New Vetting Unit
USCIS announced the establishment of the USCIS Vetting Center, a specialized unit to be headquartered in Atlanta, GA. The stated purpose of the unit is to "centralize the enhanced vetting" of applicants and "allow the agency to respond more nimbly to changes in a shifting threat landscape."
USCIS Policy Alert Shortens Maximum Validity Period of EADs for Many Categories
USCIS released a policy alert (PA-2025-27) updating guidance in the Policy Manual to reduce the maximum validity period of EADs for many EAD categories, including refugees, asylees, asylum seekers, parolees, TPS-holders, and more. Feedback is due 1/5/26.
USCIS Announces Shortened Maximum Validity Period for EADs in Several Categories
USCIS announced it will shorten the validity period of EADs for several categories, including for refugees and asylees, from 5 years to 18 months for applications pending or filed on or after 12/5/25. USCIS also noted the shortened validity period mandated by H.R. 1 for TPS-holders and parolees.
CBS News: Interview with AILA Senior Director of Government Relations
In an interview with CBS News, Greg Chen, Senior Director of Government Relations at AILA, discusses the sweeping immigration policy changes implemented by the Trump Administration following the recent National Guard shooting.
CNN: How Trump Is Intensifying His Crackdown on Every Form of Immigration to the U.S.
CNN reports that, prompted by the shooting of two National Guard members, President Trump has halted or significantly tightened every legal and illegal form of foreign entry into the United States. AILA President Jeff Joseph describes what it’s like to be an immigration attorney right now.
CNN: How Trump Is Intensifying His Crackdown on Every Form of Immigration to the United States
CNN reports on the President's latest immigration crackdown, prompted by the shooting of two National Guard members. AILA President Jeff Joseph explains, "It's hard to predict and advise our clients on how to navigate this system ... Imagine walking in a house of mirrors blindfolded."
USCIS PM Halts All Asylum Applications and All Benefit Applications from "High-Risk" Countries
USCIS issued a policy memo holding asylum applications for all applicants and all pending benefit applications for people from countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10949. It directs re-review of all approved benefit requests for people from those countries who entered on or after 1/20/21.
The Hill: Trump Ramps Up Immigration Crackdown After Shooting
The Hill reports that President Trump’s threats to crack down on immigration are leaving migrants bracing as the Administration said it will close the door on many legal pathways to the United States following a shooting that killed a National Guard member and wounded another.
Reuters: U.S. Pauses All Immigration Applications from 19 Non-European Countries
Reuters reports that the Trump Administration said it paused all immigration applications, including green card and U.S. citizenship processing, filed by immigrants from 19 non-European countries, citing concerns over national security and public safety.
CBS News: U.S. Halts All Immigration Cases, Including Citizenship Ceremonies, for Nationals of 19 Countries, Internal Guidance Says
CBS News reports that the Trump Administration has halted all immigration applications filed by people from 19 countries, its latest move to restrict legal immigration pathways following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
New York Times: U.S. Pauses Immigration Applications from Nations on Travel Ban List
The New York Times reports the Trump Administration has paused immigration applications filed by immigrants from 19 countries it restricted from travel to the United States earlier this year, halting green card and U.S. citizenship processing for broad swaths of people.
Practice Alert: Sweeping Immigration Restrictions Announced in the Wake of the National Guard Shooting
AILA has put together a practice alert covering new immigration restrictions following the shooting of two National Guard members in Washington, DC. Among these new restrictions are the halt of all asylum decisions and specific restrictions and changes for Afghan and travel ban country nationals.
Practice Alert: DOS Pause on Afghan Visa Issuance
AILA provides a practice alert on the DOS pause of nonimmigrant and immigrant visa issuance for individuals traveling on Afghan passports.
AILA: Response to Tragedy Should be Measured and Bolster Security, Not Undermine It
As the Trump Administration made a rapid series of immigration policy announcements and changes following the attack on National Guard troops in Washington, D.C., AILA President Jeff Joseph and Executive Director Ben Johnson responded in this statement.
USCIS Updates Policy Manual: INA §212(f) and PP 10949 Now Guide Discretion in Certain Immigration Benefit Requests
Effective immediately, USCIS will consider relevant country-specific facts and circumstances such as those outlined in PP 10949 when adjudicating discretionary benefit requests such as adjustment of status applications, extension of nonimmigrant stay, and change of nonimmigrant status.
USCIS Announces Consideration of Country-Specific Factors when Adjudicating Benefits
USCIS announced new guidance to allow negative, country-specific factors to be considered when vetting immigration benefit applicants from the 19 countries named in Presidential Proclamation 10949.
Practice Alert: USCIS to Review Approvals and Immediately Pause LPR Applications for Refugees Admitted 1/21/21-2/20/25
In an internal memo, USCIS ordered review of all refugee approvals from 1/21/21 to 2/20/25—approximately 200,000 cases. USCIS also ordered staff to stop adjudicating any applications to adjust status filed by refugees, their derivatives, and follow-to-join refugees admitted during this timeframe.