The processing of green card applications for individuals granted asylum in the United States is experiencing significant delays, with wait times already extending up to three years for some applicants. Attorneys representing asylum recipients warn that a new suspension in green card processing for asylees could worsen this backlog, leaving thousands of approved asylees in prolonged uncertainty regarding their legal permanent residency.
“The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has temporarily suspended green card processing for refugees and asylees to introduce enhanced screening measures aimed at addressing fraud and security risks,” said Basu Phulara, a New York-based immigration attorney. “This pause will delay lawful permanent residency for those already granted asylum or refugee status, including individuals currently in the application process. Refugees and asylees seeking green cards now face extended delays due to this heightened vetting focus, and it’s unclear when processing will resume.”
“Many green card applicants who have been granted asylum are already contending with processing backlogs of 12 to 36 months,” Phulara added, drawing from his experience. “This new pause not only increases their confusion and anxiety but also raises the prospect of further prolonging the time needed to finalize their applications.”
USCIS, the federal agency tasked with overseeing green card applications, has reportedly enacted a temporary halt on finalizing certain adjustment-of-status applications—specifically those linked to asylum approvals. This suspension is part of a broader initiative to implement additional vetting and screening protocols for immigrants, including refugees and asylees. While the duration of the pause remains unspecified, legal experts fear it could add months—or even years—to an already overburdened immigration system.
According to the USCIS “Case Processing Times” tool, the current median processing time for Form I-485, Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status, is approximately 15.5 months, with wait times to submit inquiries about applications averaging around 19 months. USCIS states, “We generally process cases in the order they are received. This processing time reflects how long it took us to complete 80% of adjudicated cases over the past six months. Each case is unique, and some may take longer than others. Processing times are a reference point, not a definitive measure of how long your case will take.”
However, many applicants and practitioners report that green card applications based on asylum grants from over a year ago often take around one year to process, though some experience significantly longer delays. “During the COVID-19 pandemic, the backlog was substantial, but recently, most green card applications were approved within a year of filing,” said immigration consultant Manmohan Singh Ghimire. “In some instances, it took longer, but this new processing delay is expected to further increase wait times.”
The latest data for Form I-485 “Application to Register Permanent Residence or Adjust Status (Asylum)” shows an increase in processing time. In December 2024, USCIS received 7,082 new I-485 applications based on asylum, approved 8,310, and denied 316, leaving 77,686 cases pending. Of those, 44,355 had been pending for over six months, with an average processing time of 11.5 months.
By January 2025, new applications rose slightly to 7,105 (+0.3%), approvals increased to 8,509 (+2.4%), and denials decreased to 274 (-13.3%). The pending caseload dropped to 76,107 (-2.0%), with long-pending cases falling to 41,168 (-7.2%), though the average processing time rose to 11.9 months (+3.5%). Currently, there are more than 75,000 pending I-485 applications based on asylum grants, highlighting the ongoing backlog in the system.
Over the past three fiscal years, 1,582 Nepali individuals have been granted asylum through immigration courts, while only about 50 received asylum approval from USCIS during the same period. In the first five months of the current fiscal year 2025, data indicates that 183 Nepali individuals have already had their asylum applications approved. The suspension of green card processing for asylum-based applications has affected a portion of this Nepali asylee community in the United States.
A significant number of Nepali individuals in the United States have obtained green cards through asylum. Over the past 20 years, more than 50,000 Nepalese individuals—totaling 50,613—have secured U.S. green cards as asylees or refugees.
According to Department of Homeland Security statistics, 1,262 Nepali individuals received green cards as asylees or refugees in fiscal year 2022, compared to 518 in 2021 and 1,616 in 2020. Historical data further illustrates this trend: 2,192 in 2019, 3,346 in 2018, 3,287 in 2017, 4,209 in 2016, 5,261 in 2015, 5,516 in 2014, and 6,137 in 2013. Earlier years show 5,987 in 2012, 5,299 in 2011, 3,093 in 2010, 812 in 2009, 911 in 2008, 683 in 2007, 395 in 2006, 72 in 2005, 15 in 2004, and 12 in 2003 Nepali individuals obtaining green cards as asylees or refugees.
Nepalis seeking asylum in the U.S. continue to cite threats from Maoists as a reason for fleeing Nepal, despite the Maoist group having joined the peace process nearly two decades ago and having participated in government multiple times. The U.S. government removed the Maoists from its terrorist list over a decade ago.
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.
