Impact of Government Shutdown on Immigration Services and Offices

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Article Credits

• Author: The article is written by Marco Tomakin.
• Publication: It was published in The Freeman.
• Date/Time: The article was published on October 5, 2025, at 12:00 AM.

Shutdown Overview

As you may well know by now, the federal government is currently on shutdown since Wednesday. There has been no clear indication from either side whether it is willing to drop its well-entrenched demands or even ready to enter into a compromise.

• Current Situation: The U.S. federal government is on shutdown, and there’s uncertainty regarding when it will end.

Immigration Services During the Shutdown

1. USCIS Operations:

   As far as immigration services are concerned, it depends which agency we are referring to. For USCIS, services remain undisrupted.

   • USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) is still operational; they rely on fees for funding.
   • Applications: People can still submit applications, attend interviews, and go through naturalization processes.

2. Immigration Arrests:

   These are being handled by Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Unfortunately, rounding up undocumented immigrants will continue as these are deemed essential law enforcement work.

   • ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) continues to arrest undocumented immigrants despite the shutdown. This is considered essential law enforcement.

3. Immigration Courts:

   The immigration courts remain open but may have limited workload as it may only hear those who are in detention.

   • Immigration courts will remain open but will primarily deal with cases of detained individuals.

4. Customs and Border Protection:

   The US Customs and Border Protection remain open as their services are deemed essential.

   • CBP stays operational, supported by additional funding from a recent bill, and will continue to function throughout the shutdown.

5. Consular Services:

   Consulate interviews and appointments still continue as normal.

   • Like USCIS, the Department of State (visas and consular services) continues to operate, so no major disruptions are expected.

Final Guidance

In all cases, check with the specific agency involved to see if there are any closures, limitations, or restrictions most especially as the shutdown drags on.

• It advises individuals to confirm details directly with agencies as the shutdown may lead to changing conditions.

Expression of Sympathy

I would be remiss if I do not convey my deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who passed away as victims of the tragic earthquake.

• The author expresses sympathy for victims of a recent earthquake, emphasizing community resilience and strength, particularly among the Cebuano people.

Summary of the Article’s Purpose

This article discusses the impact of a government shutdown on immigration services while offering reassurance and condolences to those affected by a natural disaster. It aims to provide clear guidance for affected individuals and families, especially those in vulnerable situations due to immigration status or recent disasters.