Breaking Barriers: How a Mandamus Lawsuit Can Speed Up USCIS Delays in 2025

In 2025, asylum applications in the United States are climbing dramatically due to conflicts in countries such as Sudan, Venezuela, and Afghanistan. According to the Executive Office for Immigration Review, over 1.2 million asylum cases are now pending across the country. For those fleeing persecution, applying for asylum offers a legal path to protection—but the process is complex and increasingly difficult.

To be eligible for asylum, an applicant must prove a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group. However, recent decisions—such as Matter of A-B- III—have narrowed the definition of qualifying social groups, making representation by an experienced asylum attorney more important than ever.

Many applicants miss the crucial one-year filing deadline or submit incomplete applications that lead to denials or referrals to immigration court. If an asylum seeker is already in removal proceedings, they must defend their claim before an immigration judge—often under the threat of deportation. In these cases, hiring a qualified deportation lawyer is essential.

Current trends also show that the asylum grant rate varies widely depending on the court and judge assigned to the case. Having a lawyer familiar with your local jurisdiction significantly improves your chances of success.

Whether you are filing an affirmative asylum application or defending yourself in immigration court, your best chance of staying in the U.S. lies in working with a lawyer who practices exclusively in immigration law.