The U.S. government has officially entered a shutdown after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a budget agreement, causing significant disruption to immigration services, including visa and green card processing. Thousands of Indian professionals now face uncertainty as a result.
At the heart of the disruption is the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), whose operations have been halted. Immigration experts note that the DOL plays a critical role in the process: before companies can sponsor H-1B workers, they must file a Labor Condition Application (LCA), and the department also manages PERM certifications, which are essential for employment-based green cards. With these processes frozen, applicants can expect delays that may extend well beyond the shutdown.
USCIS Director Joseph B. Eldow confirmed via posts on X that resources are being redirected to prioritize national security. “USCIS is committed to ensuring that the unintended consequences of the shutdown…do not negatively impact national security and endanger the safety of American citizens,” he stated.
Eldow explained that during the shutdown, USCIS will focus on cases with national security concerns, vet immigration backlogs to identify threats, and refer them to ICE. He added that “this reprioritization may impact processing times.”
Public-facing services will also be affected, including interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and contact center responses. Eldow acknowledged the inconvenience, stating that USCIS “regrets any negative impacts caused to aliens and Americans seeking benefits from the agency but must ensure compliance with the law.”
The shutdown stems from a political standoff over a spending bill needed to fund the government into October. Approximately 40% of the federal workforce—around 750,000 employees—are expected to be placed on unpaid leave.
While budget disputes are common in Washington, this impasse has been particularly contentious. President Donald Trump has advocated for reducing the size of the federal government and may use the shutdown to push for further cuts. Democrats have resisted reductions to healthcare programs like Medicaid and have sought extensions of tax credits supporting health insurance.
This marks the first U.S. government shutdown in nearly seven years, with immigration services emerging as one of the most affected areas.
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