US Suspends Asylum Processing forโ Togolese Nationals, sparking Government Criticism
the United States Citizenship andโ Immigration โฃServices (USCIS) announced on December 2, 2025, the immediate suspension of processing for asylum applications and certain residency permits for citizens of 19 countries deemed “highโ risk,” including Togo. The decision hasโ ignited debate regarding Togo’s international standing and the government’s ability to advocate โfor its citizens abroad.
The USCIS notice states that all pending applications from nationals of the listed countries will undergo comprehensive re-examination, even those previously slated for approval without an interview. This will likely resultโ in mandatory interviews for many Togolese applicants, considerably increasing processing times.
The US governance cites enhanced national security protocols as the rationale for the stricter vetting process, โimpacting asylumโ claims, status renewals, and specific residency permit categories.
Political analyst andโค June 6 Movement (M66) collaborator, Dany Ayida, views the decision as โaโค serious indictment. “Togoโข is being considered a rogue state,” Ayida stated, adding that Togolese leadership has failed โฃto effectively represent the interests of its citizens to the US administration. He believes the measure demonstrates “the inability ofโ the Togolese โฃgovernment to defend the interests of its citizens abroad” andโ signals a decline in Lomรฉ’s diplomatic โฃinfluence.
The suspension creates โคimportant uncertainty for Togolese โindividuals in the US seeking asylum,โข renewing thier legalโฃ status, or transitioning between immigration categories. Families already facing prolonged periods of administrative limbo may experience further hardship due to theโค anticipatedโ delays.
Notably, Togo’sโ immediate neighbors – Ghana, Benin, andโข Burkina faso – were not included on the list, despite ongoing instability in Burkina Faso. โWithinโข West and Central Africa,Guinea-Bissau,Sierraโค Leone,and Chad,all located โฃin the sahel region,were the only other countries cited.
Several Togolese โobservers have expressed surprise at the inclusion of Togo,suggesting the decision reflectsโฃ a negative evaluation of the country’s governance rather than a specific security threat. The move is highly likely to intensify โคexisting criticism of the Togolese government’s policies and itsโค relationship wiht international partners.