What changed for humanitarian cases in 2025 and 2026

This page sums up confirmed changes as of October 21, 2026. It is general information, not legal advice. Things change weekly, so check the official pages linked here and talk to a lawyer before you act.

Is my case still moving?

For most people, yes. No rule today stops USCIS from deciding humanitarian cases in general. The biggest freeze, a hold on cases for people from certain countries, has been blocked by two federal courts. But cases are slower and stricter, and some programs ended.

The fastest way to know about your own case is to look it up. Use the toolkit links above. If the status has not changed in a long time, see How do I check that my case is alive?

What happened to the USCIS holds?

In December 2025 and January 2026, USCIS ordered officers to hold pending applications from nationals of 39 countries named in two presidential proclamations, including asylum cases (memos PM-602-0192 and PM-602-0194).

Then the courts stepped in:

• June 2026: a federal court in Rhode Island vacated both memos and a related policy alert. USCIS says they "should be treated as if they are not in effect," agency wide (USCIS Policy Manual, Vol. 7, Part A, Ch. 10, current as of October 2, 2026).
• August 24, 2026: a federal court in San Francisco blocked both memos and certified a class of people from those countries with pending asylum or other applications. USCIS says it is "ordered to adjudicate applications in the normal course" (USCIS alert, August 28, 2026).

USCIS says it disagrees and may seek further review. So a hold could return if a higher court rules differently.

Asylum

• New fees by law. $100 to file and $105 for each year your case is pending, not waivable (Federal Register, October 1, 2026). Watch for the yearly fee notice. Missing it can end your case.
• Referral without interview. Since July 28, 2026, USCIS can send some affirmative asylum cases to immigration court without an interview, for people with no other lawful basis to stay. USCIS still offers an interview before it grants or denies (Federal Register, July 28, 2026).
• Work permits. The first asylum work permit now costs $570. Renewals cost $275 plus the regular $520 ($470 online).
• Narrower grounds. The Board of Immigration Appeals issued several decisions in 2025 and 2026 that make some claims harder. See Asylum in the United States: the complete guide.

TPS

• Many countries ended. USCIS lists Venezuela, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, Haiti, Syria, Yemen, Somalia, South Sudan, Burma and Ethiopia as terminated, most in 2025 and mid 2026 (USCIS TPS page, updated October 20, 2026).
• Courts can do less. On June 25, 2026, the Supreme Court held in Mullin v. Doe that courts cannot hear most challenges to TPS decisions.
• Still protected for now. El Salvador, Ukraine and Sudan holders "retain protection including work authorization" until an announcement. Lebanon runs through November 27, 2026.
• Higher fees. First time TPS is $520 plus biometrics. See Which countries have TPS now and how to renew.

Humanitarian parole programs: which are open and which have ended

New parole costs: a $1,050 parole fee, charged only after USCIS decides to approve. Parole work permits now carry an extra $570 for the first card or $280 for a renewal, on top of the regular fee (Federal Register, October 1, 2026). If your parole is ending, see I got a notice ending my parole. What do I do?

SIJS, U, T and VAWA

• SIJS deferred action. USCIS ended its policy of granting deferred action to young people with approved SIJS on June 6, 2025. In January 2026, a federal court in New York ordered USCIS to follow the 2022 policy while the case (A.C.R. v. Noem) continues. The case was still open on October 21, 2026. See When a young person with SIJS can apply for a green card.
• SIJS fee. A $250 fee set by the 2025 budget law applies to SIJ petitions. The regular $515 petition fee is waived. A lawsuit challenges the $250 fee; no ruling was found as of October 21, 2026.
• U, T and VAWA enforcement. An ICE directive (11005.4) says people with pending U, T or VAWA filings may still face enforcement. A pending petition is not a shield by itself. See Is it safe to apply for a U visa right now?
• Fees. U and T applicants are exempt from the I-192 waiver fee, and VAWA self petitioners pay no fee for the I-360, I-485 or I-765.

Rules that affect every case

• Denials can lead to court. Since February 28, 2025, USCIS policy is to issue a Notice to Appear when a denial leaves a person without lawful presence (PM-602-0187). DACA is the only listed exception.
• Fewer second chances on paperwork. Since August 5, 2026, officers may deny for missing initial evidence without first sending a request for evidence (USCIS policy alert PA-2026-05). File complete.
• No automatic work permit extensions for most renewals filed on or after October 30, 2025. DHS made this final on October 14, 2026 (Federal Register, October 14, 2026). File renewals early.
• Travel on advance parole. Since August 13, 2026, leaving on an advance parole document counts as a departure for the 3 and 10 year bars (USCIS Form I-131). See Is it safe to use advance parole now?
• Weekend deadlines. From October 23, 2026, USCIS paper deadlines that fall on a weekend or federal holiday move to the next business day (USCIS PA-2026-15).

How do I check that my case is alive?

1. Look it up on USCIS Case Status Online with your receipt number (it starts with three letters).
2. Compare with USCIS processing times for your form and office.
3. If you are outside normal processing time, submit a case inquiry through USCIS or call 800-375-5283.
4. Update your address within 10 days of any move. Lost mail is a top reason cases die.
5. If you are in court, check your next hearing date often. Hearing locations changed in 2026; for example, San Francisco immigration court cases moved to Concord.
6. Still stuck? Ask your member of Congress's office for a case inquiry, and talk to a lawyer about other options.

Is there a worksheet I can print?

Questions people ask

I'm from one of the 39 countries. Is my case on hold? As of October 21, 2026, two court orders block the hold memos and USCIS says it will process cases "in the normal course." Your case may still take longer because of extra checks.

My parole program ended. Am I still OK if I filed for a green card? For Family Reunification Parole, DHS said parole did not end for people with an I-485 pending on December 15, 2025. For other programs, ask a lawyer.

Should I wait to file until things settle? Not if a deadline is running, like the one year asylum rule or turning 21 for SIJS. Get advice now.

Who can help?

Contact them to confirm hours, languages and openings. Being listed here is not a referral or a promise of service.

• CLSEPA, East Palo Alto (San Mateo and Santa Clara counties). 650-326-6440. Walk in Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., 1861 Bay Road. clsepa.org
• Bay Area Legal Aid. Advice line 1-800-551-5554, all languages. Survivor cases. baylegal.org
• Immigration Institute of the Bay Area, Redwood City. Free first consultation by appointment, (650) 587-1558. iibayarea.org
• Anywhere in California: CDSS legal services list. Anywhere in the U.S.: immigration court pro bono list.