Will Centers Operate During Government Shutdown

[James And Oksana 19]

It would appear as though the federal government is headed toward a path of shutdown. I know we pay fees for our petitions and some suggest it is fully funded by these fees, but does anyone know for sure if the service centers will remain working on petitions should the federal government shutdown?

[TwoCats 55]

It would appear as though the federal government is headed toward a path of shutdown. I know we pay fees for our petitions and some suggest it is fully funded by these fees, but does anyone know for sure if the service centers will remain working on petitions should the federal government shutdown?

Quoted from this article:

"Hundreds of thousands of visa and passport applications went unprocessed as some passport agencies shut down while others operated with minimal staff."

Referring to what happened the last time the government shut down.

Not very specific, but... not exactly hope insipiring.

Edited February 21, 2011 by TwoCats

[Inky 1,110]

Not to hijack or anything.. but what would happen to people who need to or are applying for ROC and it shut down. Would they just lose their status and ability to work etc? It would be pretty devastating.

[felo391971 4]

That will be me if that happen

[Kathryn41 3,205]

Technically, since these applications are mandated to be funded through user fees only and not through tax based dollars there should be no reason why these processes shouldn't continue. Now, whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen - but the fact that tax based dollars are not allowed to be used in these processes was the reason USCIS used to justify the immense fee hikes several years ago. If they stop work, I hope some legal eagle claims 'foul'.

[yhang 20]

Technically, since these applications are mandated to be funded through user fees only and not through tax based dollars there should be no reason why these processes shouldn't continue. Now, whether or not that actually happens remains to be seen - but the fact that tax based dollars are not allowed to be used in these processes was the reason USCIS used to justify the immense fee hikes several years ago. If they stop work, I hope some legal eagle claims 'foul'.

:thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs: :thumbs:

We are paying the fees to be with our family members. Even though that means we have to be tight on money. Forgetting about some things that we wanted and trying to even save on some things that we needed. We endure it just to be with the people we love. It's totally not fair. If that happens, I am really hoping that someone here (someone eagle like you said since we can't pay a lawyer) will help us all...

[Darnell 8,478]

adjudicators, to the best of my knowledge, are not fed employees - they are SERCO contractors.

Contract in place, paid by user fees, where's the slowdown ?

[JimVaPhuong 4,863]

adjudicators, to the best of my knowledge, are not fed employees - they are SERCO contractors.

Contract in place, paid by user fees, where's the slowdown ?

What about their supervisors? The inmates can't run the asylum by themselves.

It's up to the Office of Management and Budget to develop the plan for which government services are essential and must continue operating during a shutdown. I haven't seen their current plan, I suspect because they haven't finished writing it yet. I know that much of DHS will not be shut down because national security and law enforcement are considered essential services. If USCIS ends up being shut down then I'm sure that there will be accommodations made for people with time critical issues.

INS continued to operate during the shutdown in 1996 specifically because processing is paid for by customer fees, so petitions were still being adjudicated. However, visa services and employment visa applications were affected because the US consulates and Department of Labor were operating with minimal staffing and essential services only.

[Luckywife2007 6]

What about their supervisors? The inmates can't run the asylum by themselves.

It's up to the Office of Management and Budget to develop the plan for which government services are essential and must continue operating during a shutdown. I haven't seen their current plan, I suspect because they haven't finished writing it yet. I know that much of DHS will not be shut down because national security and law enforcement are considered essential services. If USCIS ends up being shut down then I'm sure that there will be accommodations made for people with time critical issues.

INS continued to operate during the shutdown in 1996 specifically because processing is paid for by customer fees, so petitions were still being adjudicated. However, visa services and employment visa applications were affected because the US consulates and Department of Labor were operating with minimal staffing and essential services only.

Jim VaPhuong.....

We have an interview at the consulate on March 08, 2011...... When would we know if the Embassy won't be accepting "VICTIMS"

We have held off purchasing our airline tickets BUT with the interview a week away, we need to do something!