For hundreds of thousands of asylum seekers in the United States, the wait for protection has become a prolonged test of endurance. A backlog of more than 1.5 million affirmative asylum cases at U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has left families trapped in legal, emotional, and financial limbo.
According to the latest quarterly data from USCIS, the backlog of affirmative asylum applications reached 1,503,715 as of June 30, 2025. During the first nine months of fiscal year 2025, the agency received 364,256 new filings while completing 230,783 cases. Of those completions, 10,500 were approved and 14,191 were denied. Total completions for Form I-589 include administratively closed cases, which are not categorized as approvals or denials.
A separate set of data obtained on Jan. 8 through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request offers a detailed look at the backlog, when President Donald Trump assumed office. As of Jan. 17, 2025, USCIS reported 1,412,649 pending affirmative asylum applications, with Venezuelan nationals comprising the largest group of applicants.
USCIS officials said that when cases are tallied by nationality, totals exceed the agency’s overall count because some applicants hold dual citizenship and are listed under multiple countries.
Latin America dominates backlog
Venezuelans account for 300,314 pending affirmative asylum cases—far more than any other nationality. The backlog is heavily concentrated in Latin America and the Caribbean. Colombia follows with 99,490 pending cases, Guatemala with 93,438, Haiti with 87,661, and Cuba with 80,380. Together, those five countries represent well over 600,000 pending cases—nearly half of the total USCIS backlog.
Other significant contributors include Nicaragua with 86,904 cases, Mexico with 69,194, Honduras with 68,971, and El Salvador with 50,752.
Outside the Western Hemisphere, substantial numbers of asylum seekers come from Asia, Africa, and parts of Europe, reflecting persistent conflict and repression worldwide. China accounts for 71,223 pending cases, followed by India with 50,970, Russia with 21,965, and Ukraine—amid its continuing war—with 8,666.
In Africa, Nigeria leads with 14,978 pending cases, followed by Ethiopia with 9,180, Cameroon with 5,932, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo with 2,417. In the Middle East and North Africa, Egypt has 7,598 pending cases and Iran has 2,680, while hundreds more are pending from Libya and Sudan.
Among South Asian nations, Nepal has 5,705 pending affirmative asylum applications, placing it in a mid-range tier alongside Brazil with 21,119 and Ecuador with 33,017. Pakistan has 6,583 pending cases, Bangladesh has 8,186, and Bhutan has 461—underscoring the diverse global footprint of asylum claims within the United States.
Attorneys warn of human cost
Immigration attorneys say the backlog illustrates not only the breadth of humanitarian crises worldwide but also long-standing weaknesses in the U.S. asylum adjudication system. Cases can remain unresolved for a decade or longer, leaving applicants unable to reunite with family members, plan their futures, or obtain key documentation.
“Because of the backlog of more than 1.5 million pending affirmative asylum cases, the already troubled immigration system is falling into a black hole,” said Khagendra Gharti Chhetry, a New York–based immigration attorney who represents hundreds of asylum seekers. “Years-long waits for asylum interviews or decisions make it extremely difficult for clients to gather evidence, secure witnesses, and present a fair case.”
Chhetry said some asylum interviews are now delayed by more than 10 years, making it “nearly impossible” for applicants to obtain documents or preserve evidence as circumstances change. “In the context of Nepali applicants, most claims are based on political, religious, or social-group membership,” he said. “Prolonged backlogs have caused tremendous mental and financial distress and destroyed family unity.”
He recounted the story of one Nepali client who filed for asylum in 2016 but has yet to be interviewed. “In those 10 years, he lost his parents, his wife divorced him, his children suffered, and he developed mental illness,” Chhetry said. “He is now completely helpless.”
Delay risks eligibility, attorneys say
Ramesh Shrestha, another New York–based immigration attorney, said the consequences of the backlog extend to both applicants’ legal eligibility and mental health.
“If asylum applications are not adjudicated in a timely manner, many applicants may lose eligibility due to changed country conditions, changes in law, or difficulty obtaining evidence—such as the loss of records or the death or disappearance of witnesses,” Shrestha said.
Shrestha said Nepali asylum cases primarily involve political persecution but also include claims based on religion and membership in particular social groups. Some long-term residents file affirmatively to preserve eligibility for cancellation of removal proceedings, which depend on hardship to U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident relatives.
“Delays in processing may become lethal to their case, as U.S.-citizen children’s health may improve or they may age out, making their parents ineligible,” Shrestha said.
He noted that while pending asylum cases provide work authorization, they offer no sense of permanency. “Because of uncertainty, asylum applicants cannot make substantial business or residential investments,” he said. “Away from their loved ones and lacking clarity about their future, they suffer significant mental anxiety and depression.”
“As many asylum cases have been pending from 2015 to the present, there are many applicants whose lives are stuck in the middle of the asylum backlog,” he added.
‘Lives on hold’
Another New York–based immigration attorney, Bashu P. Phulara, said the high number of pending cases reflects both the demand for U.S. protection and the importance of timely adjudication.
“The U.S. asylum system serves as a vital protection for people fleeing persecution,” Phulara said. “With so many cases pending, it shows both the high demand for safety and the dedication of officials working to process applications fairly.”
Phulara said prolonged delays can weaken legitimate claims. “Memories fade, witnesses become unavailable, and evidence becomes harder to obtain,” he said. “Timely processing ensures every applicant can present a complete and accurate case.”
According to Phulara, Nepali asylum seekers frequently cite political persecution, religious discrimination, caste- or ethnicity-based threats, and gender- or family-related violence. “I have seen clients whose lives are essentially on hold for years,” he said. “Resolving cases efficiently allows families to move forward with hope and stability.”
‘Justice delayed is justice denied’
Keshab Raj Seadie, another New York–based immigration attorney, said prolonged delays threaten the core integrity of U.S. asylum protections.
“The phrase ‘justice delayed is justice denied’ is not just a legal maxim—it is a daily reality for asylum seekers whose cases have been pending for years, sometimes more than a decade,” Seadie said.
He said the backlog of more than 1.5 million cases reflects “a system under severe structural strain” that harms deserving applicants while eroding public trust. “Prolonged backlogs unintentionally create perverse outcomes,” he said, noting that weaker claims may benefit from years of work authorization while time erodes stronger, evidence-based cases.
“With respect to Nepal, we most commonly see claims involving political persecution, caste-based discrimination, gender-based violence, domestic abuse, and persecution of sexual minorities,” Seadie said. “These claims depend heavily on testimony and documentation that become increasingly difficult to substantiate over time.”
Seadie added that many asylum seekers spend years building stable lives in the United States—raising U.S.-citizen children, paying taxes, and contributing to their communities—yet remain trapped in legal uncertainty. “Ultimately, asylum adjudication delays do not merely slow down justice,” he said. “They distort it.”
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.
