DHS Shutdown: What It Means for Immigration Services

A partial government shutdown began Saturday after lawmakers failed to reach a deal to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) through September.

The dispute centers on immigration enforcement policies. But for most immigrants and employers, day-to-day immigration processing is continuing largely as normal.

Are USCIS Applications Affected?

No. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is primarily fee-funded, not funded through annual congressional appropriations. That means applications and petitions continue to move forward, including:

• Green card applications
• Work authorization renewals
• Naturalization applications
• H-1B and other employment-based petitions

Premium processing also remains available.

What About Other Immigration Agencies?

Most major immigration functions are still operating.

The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) and U.S. Department of State (DOS) are fully funded through the fiscal year, so Labor Condition Applications, PERM filings, and visa services abroad continue.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is considered essential and remains operational at ports of entry. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) enforcement activities are also continuing.

The most visible impacts of the shutdown are likely outside core immigration processing, affecting agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Coast Guard, where many employees are continuing to work without pay.

What This Means for Immigrants

If you are applying for or renewing an immigration benefit, you can proceed as planned. Interviews and biometrics appointments are expected to go forward unless you receive a cancellation notice.

If you are traveling, airports and border inspections remain operational. As a precaution, travelers may want to:

• Arrive earlier than usual for flights
• Monitor airline and TSA updates
• Bring documentation showing valid immigration status

What This Means for Employers

For HR teams and mobility leaders, compliance obligations do not pause during a shutdown.

Employers should continue to:

• File H-1B petitions and employment-based green card applications as scheduled
• Submit Labor Condition Applications without delay
• Maintain I-9 compliance and documentation
• Prepare for potential site visits or enforcement activity

In short, this shutdown does not halt core immigration processing. If it extends for a prolonged period, administrative slowdowns are possible. bBut for now, immigration filings and enforcement remain active.

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