Trump Suspends Asylum Processing at the Southern Border

On January 20, 2025 — his first day back in office — President Trump signed an executive order invoking emergency powers to declare an "invasion" at the southern border. The order directed DHS to suspend entry of migrants crossing unlawfully and to halt standard asylum processing. It also cancelled all CBP One app appointments that had been scheduled under the previous administration, with no rescheduling option. Many people had been waiting months for those appointments.

The practical effect is that people arriving at the southern border without prior authorization can no longer file asylum claims through the normal process. People who had booked CBP One appointments found their slots erased without any alternative.

If you are already inside the United States with a pending asylum case before USCIS or the immigration courts, this order does not automatically cancel your case. Continue to attend all hearings and comply with all deadlines. Check your case status through the USCIS online portal at uscis.gov and contact a legal aid organization if you are unsure of your status or next steps.