A lack of consensus on government spending in the US Congress has led to a federal shutdown. Many bills went unpassed, resulting in the first US shutdown since 2018, during Trump's first term. Numerous government programs may halt temporarily, and countless non-essential employees will be furloughed, leaving only critical services operational. Among these complexities lie the concerns of millions of immigrants who have applied to reside in the country. How significantly could a stalled budget impact their lives?
Where the Roadblocks Lie
Passing a budget is imperative for government continuity. In the absence of consensus between Republicans and Democrats, funding stalls, leading to unpaid closures of government agencies. However, not all services are impacted; only non-essential services face the brunt of shutdowns where operations can pause without immediate harm. If extended, even essential services may face interruptions one by one.
Currently, both political parties accuse each other. The precise end of the shutdown is unclear. According to a BBC report, over 800,000 employees might be temporarily furloughed.
Source: aajtak
Services Unaffected
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) operations are fee-funded, meaning the bulk of its workforce continues unabated. This is the department handling green card and visa applications, suggesting minimal impact on immigrants. However, limited staff in certain areas might cause slight delays.
These Services May Be Affected
Many Labor Department services, including those related to H-1B visas, are suspended.
Immigration courts, where immigration cases are processed, will be significantly impacted. Non-detained cases will be put on hold, extending the wait for those seeking visa, green card, or immigration-related appeals. Detainees, however, will continue receiving timely hearings to avoid extended detention without trial.
The Labor Department issues a special permit enabling work-related green cards, but severe disruptions will hinder many people from proceeding with employment processes.
Source: aajtak
Understanding Through Previous Shutdowns
The shutdown from October 2018 to January 2019 stands as the longest in US history, deeply affecting immigration services, especially for those filing for work visas, green cards, or citizenship. Labor Department services ceased completely due to reliance on government funds. The immigration courts also faced heavy ramifications, postponing approximately 86,000 cases.
Ending the Shutdown
There's no set timeline or predictability for the shutdown's conclusion. Its duration hinges on an agreement between the administration and the opposition. In 2018, negotiations faltered over budget allocations for the Mexico border wall, with Trump seeking over $5.5 billion, while opposition steadfastly opposed it.
The outcome was a temporary paralysis of many agencies, unpaid furloughs for millions, and critical service disruptions. Eventually, to counter growing pressure and the threat of political loss, temporary funding and the shutdown's resolution materialized.
