As has been widely reported in the media,
across-the-board funding cuts are set to take effect today at U.S. government
agencies unless Congress can reach a compromise on the federal budget. The
Departments of Homeland Security, State and Labor are all subject to cuts, but
have not yet specified how their immigration processing operations would be
affected. If funding reductions take place, employers and foreign nationals
could see delays in adjudications, border inspections and visa issuance.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is primarily funded by filing fees
and may see the fewest effects if sequester takes place, though it is subject
to budget cuts to some degree. Customs and Border Protection is expected to be
among the hardest hit among DHS operations. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
this week released some low-risk foreign nationals from detention facilities,
citing looming budget cuts.
At the State Department, officials have already warned that consular services
like visa processing might be delayed. Labor Department functions – including
PERM, labor condition application (LCA) and prevailing wage operations – are
not funded by fees and could also face delays due to cuts.
