After Democrats and Republicans failed to agree on a spending bill by yesterday’s deadline, funding for the US government has temporarily stopped, and many government agencies have closed. Here is what the government shutdown means for immigration services.
Will USCIS shut down?
USCIS is independently funded through filing fees. This means that the government shutdown should not impact the agency’s operations, including case filings or adjudications.
How does the government shutdown impact US embassies and consulates abroad?
The Department of State (DOS) confirmed that US embassies and consulates will remain operational. They will not be affected by the government shutdown.
Is the Department of Labor (DOL) Affected?
Since the Department of Labor is dependent on government funding, it will not conduct immigration-related services. This means that Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) and PERM labor certification cases cannot be filed and will not be processed during the shutdown.
What about E-verify?
E-verify is partially funded by congressional appropriations. Therefore, it will not be accessible during the shutdown, preventing employers from confirming employment authorization for new hires.
What if I can’t file my H-1B extension or change of status?
Previously, USCIS recognized a government shutdown as an extraordinary circumstance if it was a leading cause for a late filing. While no additional guidance has been issued recently, this may still be the case. We will keep you updated.
If you have any questions about how the government shutdown will affect you, please contact us and we would be happy to speak with you.