# US asylum reform and court surge amid fee hikes > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-asylum-processing-reform > Updated: 2026-08-26T23:23:40.000Z. Sources: 72. Developments: 4. In late July 2026, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) implemented an interim final rule allowing USCIS to refer certain affirmative asylum applications directly to immigration judges, bypassing the mandatory interview stage. Effective July 28, this Trump administration policy targets approximately 445,000 pending cases—roughly 31% of the 1.4 million-plus backlog—and an estimated 132,000 future annual filings. USCIS Director Joseph Edlow described the change as a way to focus resources on legitimate claims, while critics warn it may disproportionately impact migrants from Cuba, Venezuela, Haiti, and Syria and reduce procedural safeguards. Simultaneously, DHS has raised immigration application fees and tightened waiver requirements. This increased cost structure, combined with fears regarding the administration's immigration stance, has coincided with a sharp decline in naturalization filings. Data shows new citizens dropped from 818,500 in 2024 to approximately 97,000 in 2025, with only 27,569 cases processed by April 2026. The policy shifts have strained the immigration court system. Data from Mobile Pathways indicates a surge in “mega” master hearings, with over 1,300 recorded in June—a near-threefold increase from the prior year. As preparation time has fallen from six months to just over one month, the accelerated schedule has led to more missed court dates and immediate deportation orders, triggering lawsuits alleging violations of protections for vulnerable minors. In August 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court issued a 6-3 decision in Mullin v. Al Otro Lado, ruling that asylum seekers must be physically present on U.S. soil to qualify as having “arrived in” the country. Following this, the White House announced plans to revoke short-term non-immigrant visas for foreign nationals who entered the country as visitors but subsequently applied for asylum. By late August 2026, lawmakers including Senator Dick Durbin and Representative Mike Quigley raised concerns regarding alleged due process violations at an immigration court in Chicago. ## Claims - The rule could affect up to 444,724 pending asylum cases, about 31 % of the 1.43 million backlog. (disputed by 17 sources) - The reform affects about 445,000 pending asylum cases out of roughly 1.5 million under review. (disputed by 7 sources) - The rule is intended to reduce the asylum backlog and improve efficiency, according to DHS officials. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The rule took effect immediately without a public comment period. (corroborated by 18 sources) - The Trump administration issued an interim final rule on July 28 2026 allowing USCIS to refer certain affirmative asylum applications directly to immigration judges, bypassing asylum interviews. (corroborated by 17 sources) - The rule does not change substantive eligibility criteria for asylum. (corroborated by 16 sources) - Critics warn the rule could disproportionately affect Haitian and Syrian migrants. (corroborated by 8 sources) - The rule applies only to affirmative asylum applications; defensive asylum claims remain under existing procedures. (corroborated by 7 sources) - The reform is expected to speed up deportations of hundreds of thousands of refugees and migrants. (corroborated by 7 sources) - USCIS Director Joseph Edlow said the US asylum system exists to protect people fearing persecution. (corroborated by 7 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-26: Chicago immigration court accused of violating due process for minors U.S. lawmakers and advocates allege that a Chicago immigration court is violating due process by fast-tracking removal orders for unaccompanied minors to reduce case backlogs. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/chicago-immigration-court-accused-of-violating-due-process-for-minors ### 2026-07-31: U.S. immigration courts overwhelmed as new asylum rule speeds deportations A July 28 rule sends most asylum seekers straight to immigration court, affecting ~445,000 cases, while courts hold 1,300+ mega hearings in June, cutting prep time and spurring a surge in deportations. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-asylum-rule-pushes-hundreds-of-thousands-toward-deportation ### 2026-07-28: US Immigration Fee Changes Trigger Backlogs and Sharp Drop in Citizenship Applications US fee hikes and tighter waiver rules have created immigration backlogs and cut new citizenship grants by 72% from 2024 to 2025, amid a new USCIS rule sending asylum cases straight to judges. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-immigration-fee-changes-trigger-backlogs-and-sharp-drop-in-citizenship-applications ### 2026-07-28: Trump administration fast-tracks US asylum cases with new rule US DHS/USCIS rule lets certain asylum applications skip interviews and go straight to immigration judges, affecting up to 444,724 cases (31% of backlog) to speed removals under Trump. 51 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-administration-implements-dhs-rule-to-bypass-asylum-interviews-affecting-hundreds-of-thousands --- Cite as: US asylum reform and court surge amid fee hikes. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-asylum-processing-reform