Impact on Family-Based Immigration Petition while portions of the government have gone into a shutdown.

✅ 1. Current Situation

Since October 1, 2025, the U.S. Congress has not passed a new appropriations bill or a continuing resolution to maintain funding for parts of the federal government. As a result, portions of the government have gone into a shutdown.
However, the degree of impact on immigration agencies and services is uneven — some continue to operate normally, while others are suspended or delayed.

For example:

• The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is primarily fee-funded, so it continues to operate during the shutdown.

• Some programs or functions that depend on other budget-funded agencies or require inter-agency coordination may be suspended or delayed — for instance, certain operations of the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) such as labor certification or the E-Verify system.

• U.S. embassies and consulates (responsible for visas and overseas immigration services) generally continue operations because they are largely funded by service fees. However, if the shutdown lasts too long and fee revenues become insufficient, limitations or delays may occur.

✅ 2. Impact on Family-Based Immigration Petitions

For family-based petitions (for example, U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents petitioning for spouses, children, or parents), here are key points to note:

a) Petitions Already Filed
Because USCIS continues operating, most family-based petitions that have already been filed and are awaiting review will not be completely halted.
However, delays are possible, due to reduced staffing or the slowdown of related processes such as interviews, paperwork, or appointment scheduling — all of which may be affected by limited funding.

b) Petitions Planned for 2026
If you are planning to file a family-based petition in 2026, keep in mind that while the main immigration system (USCIS) is likely to remain active, there is no absolute guarantee that all services will function normally if the shutdown continues or expands.
For purely family-based petitions (not related to employment), you should be prepared for longer processing times, possible appointment delays, and the need to check your case status frequently.
It’s also advisable to keep evidence if any part of your case is delayed because of the shutdown — in certain cases, USCIS may consider this an “extraordinary circumstance” and accept late submissions for that reason.

✅ 3. Conclusion and Recommendations

The current government shutdown does not mean that all family-based petitions have stopped — fortunately, processing continues, though delays and interruptions may occur.

If your petition has already been filed:

• Stay in touch with USCIS,

• Check your case status online regularly,

• Be prepared for longer-than-usual waiting times.

If you plan to file in 2026:

• Determine whether your case depends on other agencies or outside steps,

• Plan for a longer timeline,

• Keep all proof of any delay caused by the shutdown (emails, notices, appointment letters, etc.),

• Consult an immigration expert or attorney for the best strategy in the current situation.

Finally, continue monitoring official USCIS updates and announcements — if the shutdown persists, additional adjustments or specific guidance may be issued.