The U.S. asylum process continues to evolve in 2026. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has introduced an interim rule that allows certain affirmative asylum applications to be referred directly to an immigration judge without first receiving an interview with a USCIS asylum officer. The stated goal is to reduce the growing asylum backlog, but the change may affect how some applicants move through the immigration system. If you're planning to apply for asylum or alread