Updates on the December 2018 US government shutdown
UPDATE - January 28, 2019
Congress passed a short-term measure to lift this partial shutdown through February 15, 2019.
December 22, 2018
Congress has already approved the majority of the federal government funding through September 2019. As a result, the current partial shutdown is limited in scope, and all immigration-related government functions should be operating normally for now.
Below is the agency-specific information:
Department of State – Embassies and Consulates
US embassies and consulates should continue to process visa applications if visa application fees
remain available to fund consular operations. If a government shutdown is lengthy and fee funding is depleted, the agency could suspend visa processing or limit it to emergency cases.
Note: Citizens of Canada and Bermuda are visa exempt, although they need an enabling document
like an F-1, I-20, or H-1B I-797 Approval Notice to enter the US.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Inspection functions at US airports and ports of entry will remain in operation as the CBP personnel are
considered essential government personnel.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
ICE oversees the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) program, which is funded
by fees. As a result, the shutdown would not impact SEVIS or issuance of F-1, I-20s, and J-1 DS-2019s.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
USCIS is a fee-based government agency, and therefore, the government shutdown should not impact their normal operations. Applications (such as F-1 OPT applications, H-1B petitions, etc.) should continue to be adjudicated.
Additionally, USCIS petitions that require pre-filing actions by the Department of Labor, such as H-1B Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) are not expected to experience delays. The Department of Labor has had its full year funding authorized; as a result, it is not expected to cease operations.
like an F-1, I-20, or H-1B I-797 Approval Notice to enter the US.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP)
Inspection functions at US airports and ports of entry will remain in operation as the CBP personnel are
considered essential government personnel.
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)
ICE oversees the SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) program, which is funded
by fees. As a result, the shutdown would not impact SEVIS or issuance of F-1, I-20s, and J-1 DS-2019s.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
USCIS is a fee-based government agency, and therefore, the government shutdown should not impact their normal operations. Applications (such as F-1 OPT applications, H-1B petitions, etc.) should continue to be adjudicated.
Additionally, USCIS petitions that require pre-filing actions by the Department of Labor, such as H-1B Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) are not expected to experience delays. The Department of Labor has had its full year funding authorized; as a result, it is not expected to cease operations.
ISSS is closely monitoring the situation and will provide updates on this page as they become available.
During Winter Recess, please contact us at isss@emory.edu if you have any questions. This email account will be monitored for government shutdown-related emails twice a day during this period. Please put “government shutdown” in your email subject line. All other emails can expect a response when the ISSS office resumes regular hours on Wednesday, January 2, 2019, at which point you may contact your ISSS advisor directly with any questions.