Dec 25, 2018
Lets begin with USCIS.gov
The Government Shutdown does not affect Citizenship
services.
https://www.uscis.gov/news/alerts/lapse-federal-funding-does-not-impact-most-uscis-operations
12/22/2018
USCIS will continue to process USCIS Form N-400 Applications for Naturalization and interview applicants for U.S. Citizenship. ded activities. USCIS offices will remain open, and all individuals should attend interviews and appointments as scheduled. USCIS will continue to accept petitions and applications for benefit requests, except as noted below.
Some USCIS programs, however, will either expire or suspend operations, or be otherwise affected, until they receive appropriated funds or are reauthorized by Congress. These include:
1. EB-5 Immigrant Investor Regional Center Program.
The EB-5 visa allows eligible Immigrant Investors to become lawful
permanent residents by investing at least $1,000,000 to finance a
business in the United States that will employ at least 10 American
workers
2. E-Verify. This free internet-based system allows businesses to check the eligibility of their employees to work in the United States.
3. Conrad 30 J-1 doctors. This program allows J-1 doctors to apply for a waiver of the two-year residence requirement after completing the J-1 exchange visitor program.
4. Non-Minister Religious Workers. This special immigrant category allows non-minister religious workers to immigrate or adjust status in the United States.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP.gov)
source: https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/1207
NOTICE: Due to the lapse in federal funding, this website will
not be actively managed. This website was last updated on December
21, 2018 and will not be updated until after funding is
enacted.
As such, information on this website may not be up to date.
Transactions submitted via this website might not be processed and
we will not be able to respond to inquiries until after
appropriations are enacted.
However, you can still get up-to-date information you need on Airport and Border wait times before you begin your travel at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/advisories-wait-times
Further note: we will return to the CBP.gov in early 2019 to follow-up on about scams that target travelers.
Transportation Security Administration
(TSA.gov)
There is no shutdown advisory, but there is a helpful AskTSA
blogpost with travel tips. In addition to removing
electronics larger than a cellphone, TSA recommends separating
foods, powders and items that can clutter bags to facilitate
screening process,
They also have a very helpful video about Preparing Carry-on Bags
for Security Screening.
AskTSA: Your Holiday Travel Questions Answered
https://www.tsa.gov/blog/2018/12/18/asktsa-your-holiday-travel-questions-answered
AskTSA: Preparing Carry-on Bags for Security Screening
https://youtu.be/u2qCGsWoRSc
US Department of State Consular Affairs
(travel.state.gov)
source:
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/traveladvisories/ea/lapse-in-appropriations.html
At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United
States and at our U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will
continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation
permits.
We will not update this website until full operations resume, with
the exception of urgent safety and security information.
The National Visa Center, National Passport Information Center,
and Kentucky Consular Center will still accept telephone calls and
inquiries from the public. Please note we will be closed for
scheduled federal holidays on December 24 and 25 and will reopen on
December 26.
During the government shutdown, what can you do?
1. Check government websites or their social media accounts to find out how the shutdown will impact immigration and services that are important to you.
2. Carry the correct ID as you travel to and from you destination. This includes your state-issued ID (such as driver's license), passport, and Legal Permanent Resident card.
3. Make copies or take photos of your ID and record the number and keep the images and info in a secure, but accessible place.
4. Take the same precautions for your family members.
Note: new federal requirements, commonly known as REAL ID, begins
on October 1, 2020. See https://www.dhs.gov/real-id
5. If you have an opinion about the budget, immigration, travel,
or any other topic,
contact your representative by phone or email via Senate.gov or
House.gov.
Frequently, the website will ask about your Zip + 4, which is your
zip code plus your route number,
which you can find by following the link to USPS.com and entering
your street address
You can also write or call the President
https://www.whitehouse.gov/get-involved/write-or-call/
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
202-456-1111