After Assad's fall, European countries halted Syrian asylum claims, leaving it uncertain if the US will follow suit.

European countries are slowing down the processing of asylum applications from Syrian migrants following the collapse of dictator Bashar al-Assad, while it remains uncertain whether the U.S. will adopt a similar approach.

After the fall of the Assad regime, the U.K., Norway, and E.U. countries including Austria, Belgium, Germany, Greece, Finland, Ireland, and Sweden have halted Syrian applications.

The surge of Syrian migration during the 2015 European migration crisis has put those applications in limbo, even though it does not guarantee their return to Syria.

The EU has stated that it is not yet safe for its citizens to return to Syria.

The number of migrants from Syria in Europe is significantly higher than in the U.S., but it is uncertain how this trend will continue with the shifting political landscape in the Middle East.

Asylum cases are handled by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, and asylum officers are instructed to consider changes in circumstances when evaluating those cases. If an applicant's country becomes more stable, the consideration of their case may change dynamically. As a result, if Syria stabilizes, it may become more challenging for Syrians to receive a positive ruling on their cases.

No pauses in Syrian asylum cases have been announced by the Biden administration, and the White House did not respond to requests for comment.

Temporary Protected Status, which offers deportation protection and work permits for individuals from countries deemed unsafe, may undergo a change in the upcoming year. In January, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas extended and redesignated Syria's TPS, which lasts until September 2025.

If the Trump administration does not renew or redesignate Syria for TPS, those who are no longer shielded from deportation and lack another legal status must depart the U.S. or risk removal.

While the number of Syrians eligible for TPS is relatively low compared to other nationalities and the situation in Europe, DHS estimated that around 8,000 Syrians were eligible in January.

Between 2011 and 2023, the Center for Immigration Studies reported that just over 7,000 Syrians were granted asylum. Meanwhile, Planet Chronicle Digital obtained data showing that there are currently 741 Syrians with deportation orders on ICE's non-detained docket. In Europe, the Associated Press reported that around 183,000 Syrians applied for asylum in 2023.

The Syrian migrants' situation requires "patience and vigilance," according to the U.N. refugee agency, with the success of their journey depending on the new Syrian government's adherence to the law and order.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.