The United States government is shutdown starting today, October 1st 2013. This shutdown happened for the first time in 17 years, because of the political conflicts between Democratic President Barack Obama, the Democratic-controlled Senate, and the Republican-controlled House of Representatives, over funding for the Obama Care. Will this shutdown affect Immigration? If yes, How? This post will focus on how Immigration would be affected because of the United States Government Shut Down.

US Government Shut Down

This shutdown closed many government offices, but is not a complete Shut Down. Few of the government offices will be running partially. About 800,000 workers will be put on unpaid leave. This partial Government Shutdown will cost the United States at least $300 Million per day.

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How will this affect Immigration?

Not all immigration services would be affected due to this Partial Shut Down, but definitely it is important to know which offices would be working partially.

• U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is Functional.
• U.S. Department of Homeland Security is Functional, with its 86% of employees continue to work during shut down.
•  All USCIS Offices world wide are OPEN. You visa appointment would also not be affected.
•  The Department Of Labor (DOL) will be affected by the Shut Down.

How DOL is Affected by the Shut Down?

For any candidate willing to file H-1B, H-1B Transfer, H-1B Extension and/or Green Card Application, you would need to file an LCA first. The LCA (Labor Condition Application) needs to be filed with the Department of Labor initially, before proceeding further with the process. Since DOL is affected due to the Government Shut Down, those candidates who have to file an LCA would be affected due to the shut down. The candidates under H-1B might not be able to catch up with the deadlines due to this.