Government Shutdown: What It Means and What Cases Are Affected

USCIS remains mostly operational since it’s funded by application fees, but programs like E-Verify are temporarily unavailable. The U.S. Department of State is still issuing visas and passports, though some embassies and consulates may limit appointments. CBP continues border operations, and ICE enforcement and detention activities are unaffected. The biggest impact is on immigration courts and the Department of Labor. Only detained immigration court cases are moving forward; non-detained hearings are postponed. At DOL, programs such as PERM and LCAs are paused until funding returns. During the shutdown, applicants may face delays or limited communication from some agencies. For updates, check uscis.gov or travel.state.gov

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