2025 Asylum Policy Changes: Impacts, Risks, and Guidance

 Posted on September 28, 2025 in Immigration

The ability to file an asylum claim in the United States has recently undergone changes, with new hurdles being introduced in 2025 through policy updates, executive orders, and new regulations. These updates affect everything from how and where you apply, what must be included in a claim, who is eligible, and how quickly decisions are made.

Whether you are already in the process of applying for asylum or planning to do so, it is important to understand these changes. An Itasca, IL immigration lawyer can help you keep up with the changes, ensuring that any application you file is complete and correct.

What Asylum Changes Have Been Made in 2025?

Under Proclamation 10888, the right to seek asylum at the southern border for those apprehended between ports of entry has been suspended. Before the changes, asylum applications were accepted at ports and between ports of entry. There are no exceptions for unaccompanied children or trafficked individuals. The active processing of refugee cases abroad has been indefinitely suspended. Evidentiary demands are now more stringent, demanding proof of persecution or inability to return via the first country, along with more thorough background checks.

Before the new rules, asylum applicants could seek asylum in the United States without first applying elsewhere. Now, there is a push for asylum applicants to apply in the first safe country they pass through. Under the old rules, family members could more easily join asylees or refugees; however, under the new rules, there are stricter processing requirements. There are also now longer waits, higher dismissals, and stricter screening processes in place.

Under HR 1 (the "Big Beautiful Bill"), there are now mandatory, non-waivable fees for asylum applications. The minimum fee is $100, with an additional annual fee of $100 for every year an asylum application remains pending. Any person apprehended between ports of entry without authorization will be assessed a minimum fee of $5,000, in addition to any existing criminal penalties. The government is now asking immigration judges to dismiss many immigration court cases, placing these immigrants into expedited removal.  

Who Is Most Affected by the New Asylum Rules?

Those most affected by the new asylum rules include:

• Those from countries that have been added to new travel restriction lists.
• Family members who previously used the "follow to join" feature for refugee or asylee petitions.
• Any asylum seeker who relied on the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) or asylee assistance programs to come into the U.S.
• Asylum seekers crossing between ports of entry rather than at them.

Best Advice for Asylum Seekers

Those seeking asylum should file asylum applications as early as possible and document everything, including evidence of persecution, identity, travel history, and country condition reports. Explore alternative protections with an immigration attorney, such as withholding of removal or utilizing the United Nations Convention Against Torture (CAT) protections.

This is a form of relief for those facing deportation to a country where they are more likely than not to be tortured by the government or by a private actor the government cannot control. This protection is for extreme cases where the individual reasonably fears torture. Keep a close watch on policy changes, as court rulings and executive orders can shift eligibility or required processes quickly.

Contact a DuPage County, IL Immigration Lawyer

If you or a loved one is seeking asylum, the 2025 policy changes could have serious consequences for your case. When you choose an Itasca, IL family immigration attorney from Unzueta Law Group, P.C., you can be sure that any new restrictions or procedural changes will not catch you unaware.

We are a family-owned firm with over two decades of experience in immigration law. Call 630-509-2363 today for an initial attorney consultation to assess your risks, plan your strategy, and safeguard your case in this rapidly evolving landscape.