Will Assad’s Fall Impact the Immigration Status of Syrian Refugees & Asylum Seekers in the U.S.?
By CAIR Sacramento Valley
Photo Credit: Ozan KOSE / AFP
What’s Happening
Following the fall of the Assad regime on Sunday, Dec. 8, at least 13 European countries, including Germany, France, Italy, Greece, and the U.K., have announced that they are putting a pause on processing of asylum claims orwill not issue decisions on asylum applications for Syrians.
As of Dec. 13, the U.S. has not announced updates or changes to its asylum policies. Asylum decisions are made on an individual, case-by-case basis, in accordance with established legal criteria.
Syrian Status in the U.S.
Syrians may enter the U.S. as refugees through the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) or they may enter through the border and seek asylum. Syrians can also stay in the U.S. legally through Temporary Protected Status (TPS).
USRAP focuses on vulnerable populations fleeing persecution or conflict. Refugees may be identified and approved while they are outside the U.S. Syria is one of the priority countries for resettlement, given the ongoing civil war and humanitarian crisis.
Asylum applicants are those who did not get processed through USRAP and apply for asylum while they are in the U.S. Asylum seekers come to the U.S. initially through many ways and statuses.
TPS offers protection from deportation and work authorization. TPS for Syrians has been extended until Sept. 30, 2025. To qualify, individuals must have continuous residence in the U.S. since January 25, 2024, and meet other criteria such as passing security checks.
Qualifying for Asylum
Syrians may qualify for asylum in the U.S. if they meet the eligibility criteria to be a refugee. The requirements for refugees and asylum seekers are the same. Asylum is granted to individuals who can prove they are unable or unwilling to return to Syria because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on one of the five protected grounds:
Race
Religion
Nationality
Membership in a particular social group
Political opinion
Asylum can only be requested by those physically in the U.S. or arriving at the border.
Key Differences
Feature
Asylum
USRAP
TPS
Location of Applicant
Inside U.S./Port of Entry
Outside the U.S.
Inside the U.S.
Focus
Individual persecution
Individual persecution
Country conditions
Permanence
Can lead to residency
Can lead to residency
Temporary protection
Incoming Trump Administration
During his first term, Trump implemented significant restrictions on immigration, including specific measures targeting refugees and immigrants from predominantly Muslim countries known as the Muslim Ban.
U.S. immigration policies for Syrians and other refugees may change under the incoming Trump administration, such as:
Lower Refugee Cap: During the previous Trump administration, the refugee admissions ceiling was drastically reduced, hitting a historic low of 15,000 in 2021. A similar reduction could severely limit the number of Syrians and other refugees admitted to the U.S.
Regional Prioritization: The Trump administration may deprioritize refugee admissions from the Middle East, including those from Syria.
Non-Renewal of TPS: The Trump administration previously sought to end TPS for many countries, arguing it was temporary and should not lead to long-term residency. A similar approach could put Syrian TPS holders at risk when the current designation expires in September 2025.
Travel Restrictions: The 2017 Muslim Ban included Syria, which could resurface in some form, barring entry to Syrians and complicating family reunification efforts.
Stricter Vetting: Policies emphasizing “extreme vetting” could increase barriers for Syrians and other refugees applying through USRAP.
CAIR-SV/CC will continue to stand firmly with our allies and state officials to defend the fundamental right to seek asylum and resist efforts to reinstate the Muslim Ban.
Immigration Legal Services
CAIR-SV/CC’s Immigrants’ Rights Center offers high-quality, free legal immigration services to individuals and families, including adjustment of status, asylum, naturalization, and more.
If you or someone you know requires immigration legal services, please contact CAIR-SV/CC at 916-441-6269 to speak with an immigration attorney or click here to submit an intake form.
