USCIS and Supreme Court Remain Open Amid Federal Government Shutdown with Service Delays Expected

Despite the ongoing federal government shutdown, immigration services and courts continue to operate, although delays and backlogs are significant. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) offices remain open, focusing on national security-related cases, but applicants face longer processing times and delays in interviews and naturalization ceremonies. The Department of Justice has kept immigration courts open, citing a national emergency at the border, with no pause on non-detained hearings in places like Charlotte, which has a large case backlog. Immigration attorneys warn that the delays could extend case processing from months to years, impacting many applicants' ability to complete their immigration processes in a timely manner. USCIS is funded mostly by applicants' fees, allowing it to continue functioning despite the shutdown, but other agencies involved in visa issuance may experience funding shortages causing further delays. Overall, while essential immigration functions persist during the shutdown, the system is strained, causing concern among legal experts and applicants alike.