World Immigration News

What a Government Shutdown Means for the Immigration System

Release Date
2025-09-30
Media
American Immigration Council
Summary
With a potential government shutdown looming on October 1, immigration agencies would be affected differently depending on their funding and classification of “essential” operations.

ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement)
ICE’s enforcement and deportation operations are considered essential and would continue largely unaffected. Thanks to long-term funding provided by the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” ICE can maintain and even expand personnel and detention operations during a shutdown.

USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services)
USCIS is mostly fee-funded, allowing it to continue standard operations like application processing, interviews, and naturalizations. Only a small portion of staff would be furloughed, potentially affecting programs like the Conrad 30 medical visa program and the E-Verify system, which could temporarily suspend automated employment verification.

EOIR (Immigration Courts)
Immigration courts rely on congressional funding and may have to pause most non-detained hearings during a shutdown. Detained cases would continue, but a large backlog of non-detained cases could accumulate, potentially exceeding previous shutdown impacts.

CBP (Customs and Border Protection)
CBP’s law enforcement functions are essential and would continue, though some support staff may be furloughed. Funding from the One Big Beautiful Bill Act provides additional resources for hiring, border technology, and operations.

State Department
Visa and consular services, primarily fee-funded, would largely continue, but limited funding at some posts could restrict services to essential or emergency cases.

Overall
A shutdown would impact immigration agencies less than other federal agencies. ICE’s deportation efforts would likely proceed with minimal disruption, USCIS would largely maintain operations, and the main effect would be delays in non-detained immigration court proceedings. Even if a temporary budget deal is reached, debates over immigration funding will continue with the FY2026 appropriations.
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