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ARTICLE · 27 DECEMBER 2024

Preparing For A Possible December 21 Federal Government Shutdown

Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy
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If Congress is unable to pass an appropriations bill or a stopgap spending measure before 12:01am ET on December 21, some immigration functions will be suspended in a federal shutdown.

United StatesImmigration
Fragomen
Fragomen

At a glance

  • If Congress is unable to pass an appropriations bill or a stopgap spending measure before 12:01am ET on December 21, some immigration functions will be suspended in a federal shutdown.
  • A shutdown would mean that Department of Labor immigration functions such as LCA, prevailing wage, and PERM processing would be suspended until Congress passes a further stopgap spending measure or a FY 2025 budget.
  • Fee-based immigration processing – including USCIS benefit and State Department visa and passport processing – will continue, though with potential delays if a shutdown is lengthy. However, the USCIS E-Verify, EB-4 non-minister religious worker program, and the Conrad 30 programs would expire if Congress fails to extend them.

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