While certain immigration-related fees will rise, others will remain unchanged under the current Federal Register notice. DHS said any future inflation-based adjustment, including to the immigration parole fee, will be notified separately.Asylum eligibility and duration
To qualify for asylum in the US, an applicant must be physically present in the country and establish a fear of persecution in their home country due to race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership of a particular social group. Applicants must demonstrate either past persecution or a well-founded fear of future persecution.
Asylum status does not expire and can only be terminated by USCIS under specific conditions. Asylees are eligible for benefits and services similar to refugees, excluding the Reception and Placement Programme.
Asylees who are physically present in the US may apply for permanent residence by filing Form I-485 to adjust status to a Green Card holder.
Heightened scrutiny for Green Card applicants
From 2026, Green Card applicants and holders from 19 countries identified by the US government as posing security concerns will face intensified screening. USCIS has said the administration has ordered a comprehensive review of Green Cards issued to foreign nationals from countries deemed sensitive.
New entry bans
Starting 1 January 2026, the US will impose a full entry ban on citizens from 12 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Somalia, Sudan and Yemen. Partial entry restrictions will apply to nationals from seven others, including Cuba, Venezuela and Turkmenistan.
Workplace enforcement moves into focus
The administration plans to scale up workplace enforcement in 2026, a shift that could lead to more arrests and ripple effects across the economy. Analysts warn that replacing workers detained in raids could push up labour costs, complicating efforts to contain inflation ahead of key congressional elections.
Also read: Trump lists his administration’s successes on migration, ending wars in year-end address to nation
Funding surge for border agencies
Under a sweeping spending law passed earlier this year, Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol will receive an additional $170 billion through September 2029, a sharp jump from their combined annual budgets of about $19 billion.
Trump’s approval rating on immigration has fallen from 50% earlier this year to 41% by mid-December, according to Reuters. Despite the slide, the administration continues to defend the tougher approach, arguing that record deportations are necessary after years of elevated illegal immigration under the previous administration.
