The US is rolling out new immigration fees and tighter asylum-related rules that take effect soon. Asylum applicants will face both filing and annual charges, and non-payment can trigger case rejection and a denial of work permits. Temporary Protected Status holders will also see their work permits limited to one year, as the government aims to push costs onto applicants and streamline processing.
The US has introduced new screening questions for non-immigrant visa applicants tied to asylum risk. Applicants are asked whether they have experienced harm or fear returning to their home country, and refusal to answer is also treated as a negative signal. A “yes” to either question or not answering can lead to visa denial as part of tighter interview scrutiny.
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An appeals court has halted President Trump’s executive order that suspended asylum access at the U.S. southern border. The judges ruled that immigration laws allow people to apply for asylum and that a president cannot override that right. The court also said the order improperly sidestepped existing legal procedures, including processes tied to anti-torture protections.
Japan says its tighter immigration regime is working: overstayers dropped for a second straight year even as foreign arrivals hit record levels in 2025. Under the “Zero Illegal Foreign Residents Plan,” authorities have expanded deportations and tightened screening, while also taking steps to manage asylum applications and reduce processing delays.
Canada has passed new immigration and asylum legislation that tightens entry conditions for asylum seekers while speeding up and standardising claim processing. The government also gains greater authority over immigration documents, aiming to improve system efficiency and strengthen security. Supporters say it modernises workflows; critics warn it could raise hurdles for vulnerable applicants seeking protection.
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