The U.S. federal government officially shut down at midnight on October 1, 2025, after Congress failed to reach a funding deal. The latest major government shutdown occurred in 2019, triggered by a political stalemate between Republicans and Democrats over government funding (CNN).
What Shuts Down and What Keeps Running
A shutdown impacts hundreds of thousands of federal workers, with many furloughed or working without pay until the impasse ends (CNN). However, not all government services stop, and essential services often continue:
- Social Security benefits (already scheduled payments) continue.
- Passports and visas are still being issued, and U.S. embassies and consulates remain open but may operate at reduced capacity.
- IRS operations continue.
- Veterans’ medical care and crisis services remain available.
- The National Weather Service continues to provide forecasts and warnings (CNN).
Immigration: The Good News
For clients concerned about their immigration cases, here’s the key point: USCIS is largely unaffected by a shutdown. Unlike many federal agencies, USCIS is primarily funded by the filing fees applicants pay, not by annual congressional appropriations. This means case processing, including O-1, EB-1A, and EB-2 NIW petitions, should proceed as usual (Clark Hill, National Law Review).
That said, agencies that interact with USCIS like the Department of Labor (for PERM) or the Department of State (for visas issued abroad) could experience some delays if the shutdown is prolonged.
What This Means for Applicants
If you have a case pending with USCIS, you should not expect your process to stop due to the shutdown. However, it’s still wise to stay informed and in touch with your attorney about potential ripple effects in related agencies.
