Researched by Sean Kane

With the House leaders at impasse regarding the division of opinions on the nation’s immigration laws the vote to temporarily continue funding the United States government failed resulting in the temporary shutdown of a number of government programs. Two notable systems that were shut down are the PERM and iCERT Systems whose users are unable to access their portals until the Federal government resumes function. As a result, it can be expected that LCAs for H-1B filings, Prevailing Wage Requests for PERM labor certification cases, and PERM applications will not be processed until the government resumes function.

This means also that several other immigration programs are not in service such as the regional center portion of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program.

USCIS mentions other programs affected by the government shutdown:

  • E-Verify
  • Conrad 30 J-1 Doctors
  • Non-minister religious workers

The U.S. Department of State mentioned however that at this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States and at posts overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations until the situation permits. Ports of entry will be open; however the processing of applications may be impacted. ICE enforcements and removal operations will continue with the ICE Student and Exchange Visitor Program offices to continue functioning as normal.

 

Sources:

https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/lapse-federal-funding-certain-uscis-operations

https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/lapse-in-appropriations.html

https://www.lexology.com/library/detail.aspx?g=529a4d5a-d4e4-4c52-9e9a-3f9f3196ab52