Consideration has been given to the personnel and services that would be most affected during a government shutdown, particularly in relation to federal immigration. Amid looming threats of a partial shutdown, Congress faces a crucial decision – pass multiple appropriations bills or agree on a continuing resolution ahead of Saturday. Whichever course is taken, it’s desirable to prevent service disruption and, more importantly, to prevent further strain on federal agencies involved in immigration processes which would otherwise start operating with limited capacity from Sunday.
The imminent prospect of limited funding promises to disrupt the smooth operation of such agencies, compounding existing problems with processing delays and application backlogs. It is paramount that legal professionals, especially those of us focusing on immigration law, take stock of this situation and prepare for the potentially profound impact a shutdown could have on our clients and our practice.
The details of this matter, analysed expertly by Parker Poe Adams & Bernstein LLP, can be found here.
As preparations for the possible shutdown progress, legal practitioners should take the opportunity to address any outstanding matters and expedite ongoing cases. It is important to communicate with clients to manage expectations as the shutdown may have significant consequences for current and prospective cases, hamper timely processing and potentially exacerbate waiting times.
It’s times like these when we are reminded not only of the importance of our work for those seeking immigration assistance but also of our responsibility to stay informed about legislative developments affecting our field. As such, it’s never been more crucial to stay engaged with relevant sources and legal bodies in order to mitigate the effects of a potential shutdown and support our clients effectively.