Immigration Consequences Of Potential Government Shutdown

Key Takeaways

• Shutdown will begin on October 1, 2023 without congressional agreement to continue funding the Federal Government.
• Essential and fee-funded services/agencies such as USCIS, CBP, DOS, SEVP, and EOIR detained docket will remain operational though likely at decreased capacity/with delays.
• DOL processes (PERM, PWD, LCA) will cease, as will E-Verify, EOIR's non-detained docket, and processing for Conrad 30 J-1 Waivers.
• EB-5 Regional Center Program funded through September 2027, but Special Immigrant Religious Worker Program will cease as of October 1.

Without a new budget, temporary funding, or another stop-gap measure, it is looking more and more likely that the Federal Government will shut down on October 1. This post will focus on the potential consequences of that shutdown – which would be the fourth in the last decade – on our clients and their myriad immigration processes. Based on the indeterminate furlough of tens – if not hundreds –