Has the Trump AHas the Trump Administration Canceled Asylum Completely? dministration Canceled Asylum Completely?

 Posted on February 26, 2026 in English

In 2026, the immigration landscape looks very different than it did just a few years ago. The Trump administration has moved aggressively to restrict asylum in ways that no previous administration has tried. While the changes are sweeping, asylum has not been fully canceled.

The legal right to seek asylum still exists under federal law, but the path to getting it has become much harder, much more uncertain, and much more dangerous to navigate alone. Our Virginia immigration attorneys have more than 20 years of experience helping people seek the protection they deserve.

What Has the Trump Administration Done to Asylum?

On January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a series of executive orders targeting immigration at the southern border. One of the most dramatic steps was a presidential proclamation that declared an ongoing "invasion" at the border and used that claim to try to suspend asylum access for migrants crossing between ports of entry. The administration pointed to authority under INA Section 212(f), which gives the president power to restrict the entry of noncitizens under certain conditions.

At the same time, the administration shut down the CBP One app, which had allowed asylum seekers to schedule appointments at ports of entry. Thousands of people who already had appointments saw those appointments canceled overnight. The U.S. Refugee Admissions Program, which is a separate but related program for refugees, was suspended indefinitely beginning January 27, 2025.

Since then, additional restrictions have piled on, including the following.

• Work permits for asylum seekers issued after December 4, 2025, are now only valid for 18 months instead of the previous 5 years.
• In July 2025, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" was signed into law, which eliminated the ability of newly resettled refugees and asylum recipients to receive food assistance through SNAP and cut access to other support services.
• Travel bans have been expanded significantly. As of December 2025, total entry bans apply to citizens of 19 countries, with partial restrictions on nationals of 20 additional countries.

These changes represent a fundamental attempt to reshape who can seek protection in the United States and under what conditions.

Is Asylum Actually Still Legal in the United States?

Asylum is still legal. The right to seek asylum is written directly into federal law. Any person who is physically present in the United States or who arrives in the United States may apply for asylum, regardless of how they entered. That statute has not been repealed. Only Congress can repeal it, and Congress has not done so.

If you are approved for asylum in the United States, you can still receive significant protections under current law, including the following:

• Protection from being returned to a country where you face persecution
• Permission to live and work in the United States
• The ability to apply for a green card one year after being granted asylum
• The ability to bring certain family members to the United States

Getting approved is harder than it used to be, but approval is still possible. The people who succeed are those who have strong legal representation and who prepare their cases carefully. That is exactly why having a knowledgeable immigration attorney on your side right now is so important. What is blocked today could change tomorrow, and what is allowed today might be challenged tomorrow.

Call a Virginia Immigration Lawyer Today

Asylum law in the United States has not been canceled, but it is under serious attack. The rules are changing constantly, and the consequences of missing a deadline or making a mistake can be life-altering. If you are seeking asylum or helping a family member who is, do not face this alone.

Our American immigration lawyers at Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC have more than 20 years of experience guiding clients through the asylum process, including under the current administration's restrictions. Call Immigration Legal Advisors, PLLC at 571-441-2233 to schedule a consultation and learn what options may still be available to you.

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