Overview
Protection-based status and programs
Asylum, TPS, DACA, and humanitarian parole protect people who cannot safely return home or face specific vulnerabilities. Country designations and program rules change frequently, particularly TPS, which is regularly extended, terminated, or litigated.
Asylum can be sought by anyone already in the U.S. or arriving at a port of entry who faces persecution on account of race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.
TPS (Temporary Protected Status) protects nationals of specific countries affected by ongoing armed conflict, natural disasters, or extraordinary conditions. Each designation is country-specific and must be renewed periodically by DHS.
DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals) allows certain individuals who arrived as children to receive protection from deportation and apply for work authorization. Its legal status has been contested in federal courts repeatedly since 2012.
Visa types in this category
High-signal items · last 90 days
What to watch
Ranked by impact: rule changes, fee updates, open comment periods, executive actions, and processing shifts. Not just newest: most consequential.
- Published USCISOpen for commentsProposed ruleDHS Proposes Rule to Prioritize Americans' Safety by Strengthening Screening of Asylum Seekers
DHS is proposing a new rule designed to reduce fraudulent asylum applications and limit work authorization abuse. The rule would strengthen screening procedures for asylum seekers to verify the legitimacy of their claims. Public comments on this proposed rule are being accepted…
- Published Fed. RegisterExecutive actionTermination of the Designation of Yemen for Temporary Protected Status
DHS is terminating Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, with the designation expiring on March 3, 2026. The Secretary of Homeland Security determined that Yemen no longer meets the conditions required to maintain TPS status after reviewing current country conditions.…
- Published USCISExecutive actionDHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
The Department of Homeland Security has terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, effective 60 days after publication in the Federal Register. Yemeni nationals currently holding TPS will need to explore alternative immigration options or prepare for departure. This…
- Published USCISFinal ruleDHS Terminates Temporary Protected Status for Yemen
The Department of Homeland Security has terminated Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Yemen, meaning Yemeni nationals currently holding TPS will lose their protected status. Affected individuals will face deportation unless they obtain alternative immigration relief or status.…
All updates · newest first
Full update feed
Every update from this category in chronological order, excluding items already shown above.
- Dec 13, 2023DHS Publishes Federal Register Notice Announcing the Extensions of Re-Registration Periods for Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and SudanUSCISPos
- Nov 27, 2023Tampa Asylum Office Moving to New LocationUSCISNeu
- Nov 8, 2023USCIS Updates Guidance for Special Immigrant Juvenile PetitionsUSCISPos
- Oct 26, 2023USCIS Extends Parole by Two Years for Certain Afghan Nationals Under Age 14USCISPos
- Oct 13, 2023USCIS Issues New Instructions for Filing Asylum Applications with USCIS After EOIR Dismissal or Termination of Removal ProceedingsUSCISNeu
- Sep 29, 2023USCIS Continues Fee Exemptions and Expedited Processing for Afghan NationalsUSCISPos
- Sep 27, 2023USCIS Increases Employment Authorization Document Validity Period for Certain CategoriesUSCISPos
- Sep 18, 2023Important Update on Deferred Action for Childhood ArrivalsUSCISNeg
- Sep 11, 2023Affirmative Asylum Applicants Must Provide Interpreters Starting Sept. 13USCISNeg
- Sep 8, 2023DHS Extends TPS Re-registration Periods for El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nepal, Nicaragua and Sudan to 18 MonthsUSCISPos