asylum

Four years after Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) was launched, many of the 240,000 Ukrainians paroled through this program remain in the U.S., as well as over 30,000 Ukrainians paroled at the U.S. border. Many cannot return to Ukraine but are finding it difficult to maintain lawful statuses and work permits in the U.S. Although some short-term protections are available, application processing can take several months and even one or more years. Between massive delays and skyrocketing fees, many Ukrainians are living in limbo without proper documentation, exposing them to detention and even deportation. Meanwhile, many long-term statuses are effectively out of reach due to lack of eligibility, qualifying sponsors, or shrinking options. Certain immigration pathways also require parolees to leave the United States, jeopardizing their return. Prompt action is needed to address these critical issues that threaten the security and stability of Ukrainians who sought refuge here. Read and share our report summarizing the current challenges facing Ukrainian parolees and proposed solutions to help safeguard their protections. Read more

As the full-scale war in Ukraine enters its fifth year, tens of millions of Ukrainians have been displaced from their homes. Hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians fled to the United States between 2022 and 2025. Many more were already living in the U.S. as students, visitors, or temporary workers and weren't able to return to Ukraine. While the United States has offered critical short-term protections to Ukrainians who sought refuge here, some of these protections have expired or are set to expire soon. Unfortunately, the majority of Ukrainians who are here temporarily do not have access to long-term immigration statuses that would allow them to permanently resettle in the U.S. As a result, many Ukrainians are living in limbo, uncertain as to how much longer they can stay here and not knowing where else they can go now. Learn about the current issues and proposed solutions to help Ukrainians who cannot return home remain in the U.S. safely. Read more

On December 2, 2025, USCIS issued a Policy Memo that pauses final adjudication of all affirmative asylum applications. The hold applies to all applicants who filed or plan to file Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal, regardless of the applicant's immigration status, nationality, or country of origin. Although applicants can still file applications to USCIS, no asylum decisions will be issued while the pause is in effect. It is not yet clear whether USCIS will continue to conduct asylum interviews or process work permits for individuals with pending asylum applications. Note that this pause does not affect defensive asylum applications filed in immigration court by individuals who are already in removal proceedings. Read more

In general, "affirmative asylum" applications must be filed within one year of the applicant's most recent arrival in the United States. There are a few exceptions to the 1-year deadline, including maintaining humanitarian parole, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or another valid immigration status for a reasonable period before filing the asylum application. Read more