What a Government Shutdown Can Mean for the Immigration System
The ways a government shutdown in 2025 can affect the immigration system has raised concerns about possible delays and disruptions. Understanding which parts of the system continue operating and which may slowly down can help immigrants, families, and attorneys plan ahead during uncertain times.
How Key Immigration Agencies Are Affected
ICE Enforcement and Deportations
ICE enforcement is considered essential, so arrests and deportations generally continue even during a shutdown. Core operations are maintained to ensure public safety and enforcement responsibilities are met.
USCIS Operations and Fee-Funded Services
USCIS is primarily funded through application and filing fees, so many services like green card processing, naturalization applications, and visa interviews typically continue. Programs that rely on congressional funding, however, may face temporary delays.
Immigration Courts and Case Proceedings
Immigration courts may experience partial disruption. Detained cases often proceed as scheduled, while non-detained hearings could be delayed. This can increase the backlog and create scheduling uncertainty for individuals and attorneys.
Visas, Consular Services, and Border Processing
Fee-based visa and consular services usually continue, although some administrative support functions may slow. Border inspections remain operational, but secondary processing or paperwork might face delays.
What Immigrants Can Do During a Shutdown
Stay Organized and Prepared
Keep all documents, notices, and files organized and accessible. Anticipate potential delays and track any changes to your case schedule.
Seek Legal Guidance
Legal guidance is especially important during a shutdown. An experienced immigration attorney can help you understand how the shutdown might affect your case and advocate on your behalf. Erika Roman at ELR Immigration Lawyers offers consultations to help clients navigate these challenges.
Stay Informed
Government shutdowns can evolve quickly. Monitoring updates from trusted sources and maintaining communication with your attorney can help you respond appropriately to any changes.
Conclusion
A government shutdown can affect the immigration system in different ways. While essential functions like ICE enforcement, USCIS fee-based processing, and border inspections generally continue, other services may slow or pause temporarily. Consulting with an experienced immigration attorney like Erika Roman at ELR Abogados de Inmigración can help you understand your rights, stay informed, and take the necessary steps to protect your immigration status.
