MEGATHREAD Government shut down(merged)

[usmsbow 795]

2 hours ago, MeghanK said:

I fully believe that many parts of the visa process, at least at the consulates ARE being slowed by the shutdown, despite what everyone is saying. Lots of conversations from folks from my consulate on significantly delayed processing times. My opinion is that only "scheduled" or actual "needing review by an officer" parts are continuing as normal, i.e. previously scheduled interviews. But anything needing paper pushing? Doubt it's moving as normal if at all. 

 

Yes, I agree with that completely. At the consulate level, things will certainly slow down. Likely fewer staff, and those working certainly aren't too thrilled to be doing it w/out knowing when they'll get paid next. What I didn't agree with was a) NVC operations being impacted significantly and b) visa processing totally halting. There is no indication that is the case. Fee-generating services have continued running. 

[MeghanK 625]

3 minutes ago, usmsbow said:

 

Yes, I agree with that completely. At the consulate level, things will certainly slow down. Likely fewer staff, and those working certainly aren't too thrilled to be doing it w/out knowing when they'll get paid next. What I didn't agree with was a) NVC operations being impacted significantly and b) visa processing totally halting. There is no indication that is the case. Fee-generating services have continued running. 

For folks on here at Montreal, there has basically been a complete hold on sending Packet 3 & 4s out (especially P4s which prior to the shutdown had a 1 day turn around for nearly all cases). NVC and interviews appear to be moving along as scheduled. But the in between stuff, no movement whatsoever since the shutdown began. Hoping to be wrong and see someone post about getting P3 or P4 at any point. 🤞 

[MeghanK 625]

1 hour ago, MeghanK said:

For folks on here at Montreal, there has basically been a complete hold on sending Packet 3 & 4s out (especially P4s which prior to the shutdown had a 1 day turn around for nearly all cases). NVC and interviews appear to be moving along as scheduled. But the in between stuff, no movement whatsoever since the shutdown began. Hoping to be wrong and see someone post about getting P3 or P4 at any point. 🤞 

Welp, we just got Packet 4 ! Confirmed, consulate is alive. 😂

[NikLR 13,220]

On 1/8/2019 at 7:32 PM, JP John said:

It is if you go thru everyone going thru the Montreal consulate for the past 12

months. 

Not really since people send the p3 up to 4 or 5 times before its accepted.  It's often 1-3 weeks before it's accepted then normally a 1-3 days for the email.  Longer than that is unusual yes. 

Edited January 11, 2019 by NikLR

[Lily and Eric 12]

My fiancee and I have been waiting so long to hear back from uscis and I am starting to think the government shut down is affecting it! Anyone know what could be going on?

[Ben&Zian 4,397]

Just now, Lily and Eric said:

My fiancee and I have been waiting so long to hear back from uscis and I am starting to think the government shut down is affecting it! Anyone know what could be going on?

 

Far as anyone can tell there is no affect to USCIS with the shutdown.

 

There is a mega thread about it already. I'll get one of the mods @TBoneTX or @Penguin_ie to merge them for you.

[dwheels76 5,462]

3 minutes ago, Lily and Eric said:

My fiancee and I have been waiting so long to hear back from uscis and I am starting to think the government shut down is affecting it! Anyone know what could be going on?

You just filed in June it's been now going on 7 months. You are still within processing time. The shutdown isn't effecting approvals and adjudication. People getting approved everyday.

[payxibka 10,044]

5 minutes ago, Lily and Eric said:

My fiancee and I have been waiting so long to hear back from uscis and I am starting to think the government shut down is affecting it! Anyone know what could be going on?

Uscis is approving petitions everyday.   They are well into Aug 

[Lily and Eric 12]

They received our response to their request for evidence on Dec. 19th and since we have not heard anything from them.

[payxibka 10,044]

1 minute ago, Lily and Eric said:

They received our response to their request for evidence on Dec. 19th and since we have not heard anything from them.

Not yet unusual with the holiday slowdown. 

[KimchiLumpia 315]

Not sure if this has already been answered, because there are already 8 pages of replies. 

My wife and I had her AOS interview in Seattle last week, and according to a conversation I had with our interview officer -- the current US government shutdown does not affect the USCIS because the USCIS is supported and operated by the fees we pay for filing our immigration applications.  

 

My wife's AOS interview went smoothly, the USCIS office in Seattle was fully staffed, and we received her greencard in 8 days.  
 

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

https://www.upi.com/300-DHS-employees-to-return-to-work-Tuesday/7731548130402/

 

What is a "necessary fee-funded USCIS position"? 

[angmig 4]

Would getting a driver's license be affected by the shut down maybe? My husband tried to get his today and passed the test, but the DMV said his status was not updated to perm resident even though we have his 2 yr greencard since dec 2018 and that we need to talk to Homeland Security. I really don't want to deal with infopass because we live hours away from our USCIS office and it's a big hassle to get there. They were not helpful over the phone but we didn't get to talk to a tier 2 officer. We are in Florida why may use e-verify. Thank you!

Edited January 23, 2019 by angmig

[totobio 12]

Well I had an interview in Ghana on Dec. 6, 2018 for a Diversity Visa interview with my family and we were approved by the CO. We were told to expect our visas in 2 weeks, it's been about 8 weeks since the interview. On the CEAC status check for immigrant visas, our status shows READY for all of us since 14th February, 2019. Could the shutdown be affecting visa processing and issuance for Diversity Visa cases? I expected some sort of an update if we were on Administrative Processing but the status still shows READY since Dec 14., 2018. Does this also affirm the assertions some consulates may be highly affected in their operations by the shutdown?

Edited January 23, 2019 by totobio

[WeGuyGal 1,052]

11 hours ago, angmig said:

Would getting a driver's license be affected by the shut down maybe? My husband tried to get his today and passed the test, but the DMV said his status was not updated to perm resident even though we have his 2 yr greencard since dec 2018 and that we need to talk to Homeland Security. I really don't want to deal with infopass because we live hours away from our USCIS office and it's a big hassle to get there. They were not helpful over the phone but we didn't get to talk to a tier 2 officer. We are in Florida why may use e-verify. Thank you!

possibly

DHS is affected by the shutdown, and many essential tasks aren't high priority, including possibly updates to database(s) the DMV is accessing. Trying a different DMV could be one alternative.