A significant shift has occurred in how Nepali citizens obtain asylum in the United States. While direct asylum grants from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have drastically decreased, Nepali applicants continue to find success in immigration courts.
Once among the top nationalities receiving asylum directly from USCIS, Nepalis now rarely obtain it through this channel. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), only 20 Nepalis received direct asylum grants from USCIS in 2023—a sharp decline compared to previous decades.
This decline is largely attributed to the end of Nepal’s Maoist insurgency and the perception that the related threats have diminished. However, many Nepali asylum seekers still cite fears of persecution linked to past Maoist activities, often resulting in rejection by USCIS.
The number of USCIS approvals has steadily decreased. In fiscal year 2022, only 10 Nepalis received asylum through USCIS, the lowest figure since 1997. Prior to this, there were slightly higher numbers: 20 approvals in both 2020 and 2021, and 40 in 2019.
During the peak of the Maoist conflict and subsequent political unrest, the figures were considerably higher. For instance, in 2002, coinciding with the height of the insurgency and Nepal’s declaration of a state of emergency, 69 Nepalis received direct asylum grants from USCIS.
Between 2003 and 2012, USCIS asylum approvals for Nepalis increased, peaking at 580 in 2012, likely reflecting the lingering impact of the conflict. However, the numbers subsequently declined: 468 in 2013, 257 in 2014, and 354 in 2015, falling to just 97 by 2018. Before 2000, USCIS approvals were very low: 4 in 1996 and 3 in 1997.
Despite the decline in USCIS approvals, Nepalis have achieved significant success in immigration courts. In 2023, 601 Nepalis were granted asylum through immigration court rulings, slightly below the record 606 in 2019. The figures for fiscal year 2024 stand at 493, and there were 488 in 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic temporarily disrupted court proceedings, causing a sharp drop in approvals in 2020 (308) and 2021 (143). However, numbers quickly rebounded after the pandemic-related disruptions eased.
Historically, Nepalis have maintained a substantial presence in immigration courts. Between 2013 and 2018, approvals were consistently high: 381 in 2013, 292 in 2014, 250 in 2015, and 470 in 2018.
Kishor Panthi
View More PostsKishor Panthi is the founder and editor-in-chief of Khasokhas and NepYork. He is the author of three books, “Kampan,” "UNTRANSLATABLE" and “Zero Mile.” He writes about social issues, immigration, and politics.
