U.S. Government Shutdown Threatens Federal Services, H-1B Visas, Housing Aid, Wisconsin Workforce

A potential U.S. government shutdown looming on October 1 threatens to disrupt various federal operations and services. Essential government functions such as active-duty military pay and U.S. Customs and Border Protection at ports of entry are expected to continue, but many agencies face suspensions or limited operations. Immigration-related services like USCIS fee-based processing and passport agency functions would continue, but programs including E-Verify, Department of Labor labor certifications, and certain visa processing would halt, impacting H-1B visa sponsorship and other immigration filings. The Department of Housing and Urban Development would operate with skeleton crews, delaying affordable housing assistance and loan processing, with significant impacts expected if the shutdown extends beyond a month. Thousands of federal workers, including approximately 18,000 in Wisconsin alone, face furloughs and missed paychecks, while grant funding for healthcare, education, and national park services may also be interrupted. Congressional negotiations remain at an impasse, with disputes over funding provisions for health insurance subsidies and Medicaid complicating the passage of a stopgap funding measure.