Dear Friend of CASP,

The past three months have seen a barrage of changes in the immigration landscape. The news is difficult to hear and brings up all sort of emotions, including great anxiety and confusion among the clients that we serve.

At the end of November, we saw the federal government use a tragic, violent, and isolated incident involving an immigrant from Afghanistan as the pretext to further restrict measures meant to ensure protections for vulnerable immigrant groups, including those coming to this country to seek asylum. In addition to halting all immigration requests from Afghanistan and several other countries, U.S. Citizenship and immigration services (USCIS) has also paused the processing of affirmative asylum applications. This does not cancel asylum cases or prevent new ones from being filed, but it does indefinitely freeze the process, which will negatively affect many of our asylum-seeking clients.

We have all witnessed the immigration enforcement surge in Minneapolis, resulting in the tragic deaths of two protestors. Minnesota is also the first location to experience the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services' new Operation PARRIS (Post-Admission Refugee Reverification and Integrity Strengthening), a sweeping initiative that reexamines thousands of refugee cases. Even though refugees are one of the most heavily vetted immigration groups, we are seeing refugees detained before having their case reviewed. Recently, we saw the beginnings of a surge in Maine.

On a happier note, in 2025, CASP successfully assisted asylum seekers in many ways, as listed below, including supporting three individuals who won their asylum claims. CASP is also working with the community, statewide partners, and state government to develop a statewide response to anticipated increases in ICE(Immigration and Customs Enforcement) activity across New England. Please consider signing up to be a CASP volunteer, as a volunteer engagement will be a fundamental part of this statewide response.

In addition, CASP is in the process of hiring a Spanish-speaking case manager to expand the support we provide to clients. We are also partnering with the Vermont Asylum Support Program (VAAP) as they launch a program to expand community immigration lawyering in southern and central Vermont.

CASP can only do this important work with your support. We would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has contributed to CASP his past year. In 2026, our work continues. Please consider making a donation if you haven't done so already. your support ensures that these life-changing services continue and grow as we welcome new asylum seekers. We look forward to continuing our collaboration to support asylum seekers in the new year!

In community and solidarity,

Sharon Hall-Smith

CASP Executive Director