Government Shutdown: How it Could Affect Your Immigration Case

 The U.S. government may shut down at midnight on Wednesday, October 1, 2025. While the word “shutdown” sounds like everything stops, immigration processes continue differently depending on the agency involved.

What will stop during a shutdown?

• Department of Labor (DOL): This agency is most affected. Employment-based filings that required for labor certification and  H-1B visas cannot be drafted, filed, or issued during the shutdown. The DOL’s online system will also go offline, meaning records cannot be filed, accessed, or printed.

What may continue during a shutdown?

• USCIS: Petitions and applications will still be accepted and processed. In past shutdowns, USCIS has allowed late filings caused by the shutdown.

  
  

• Department of State (DOS): Visa interviews and other embassy services are expected to continue.

  
  

• Customs and Border Protection (CBP): Entry to the U.S. and Canadian TN appointments should continue as normal.

  
  

What this means for you

If your case involves the Department of Labor, you may experience delays. The Department of Labor handles labor certification cases and is also a part of the H-1B process.   For cases handled by USCIS, DOS, or CBP, processes should continue without major disruption. We encourage you to contact our office if you have questions about your immigration case and how the shutdown could affect you.