What impact does this have on immigration processing? Each federal agency would have its own shutdown plan, which will coordinated by the Office of Management and Budget. However, based on prior shutdowns in previous years, the following should be expected:

Immigration operations that should remain in operation:

• Customs and Border Protection (CBP): CBP is likely to continue processing immigration applications at the border and performing inspection functions.
• Immigration and Customs Enforcement: ICE enforcement activities and operations of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) should continue.
• SAVE System (USCIS database used by government agencies such as state motor vehicle departments to verify an applicant’s immigration status when processing applications for benefits).

Immigration operations that will likely be suspended:

• Department of Labor (DOL): As the DOL would likely be categorized as a non-essential function, DOL immigration functions will likely be suspended. No PERM applications, labor condition applications (LCAs), prevailing wage determinations (PWDs) or applications for temporary labor certification would be processed. The agency would not accept PERM applications or audit responses, LCAs or prevailing wage requests either online or by mail.
• E-Verify: Employers should expect to be unable to initiate E-Verify queries or resolve tentative non-confirmations, and would not be expected to meet the usual E-Verify deadlines until the program is reauthorized. Please note, employers should not take any adverse action against any employee whose employment eligibility verification cannot be confirmed in E-Verify due to the shutdown. All employers will remain subject to Form I-9 obligations and deadlines as usual.
• Conrad 30 Program

Immigration operations that will be potentially experience further processing delays:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS): The USCIS should continue to process applications but processing delays, already widespread, would continue or worsen. Appointments at USCIS local offices and Application Support Centers should not be affected by the shutdown, though COVID-19 precautions are still in place.
• Department of State: Some passport offices may be affected if they are located in federal buildings that are closed due to the shutdown, but if not, should continue operations. Although the State Department’s visa processing and U.S. citizenship document functions are not expected to be suspended, they may be further affected by reduced staffing and other effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

We will continue to monitor the situation and provide updates as they become available. In the meantime, please contact your Graham Adair attorney with any questions.