Great news! The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced it will avert a furlough that was scheduled to begin August 31st that would cut nearly 70% of its workforce. This extension will allow the department to operate through September 30, the end of the federal government’s fiscal year.
What does this mean?
Even though the furlough has been averted through the end of September, people with current applications and petitions under review with USCIS should still expect delays in the process, as the USCIS may be forced to divert resources within their daily operations.
“Averting this furlough comes at a severe operational cost,” said USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow, “that will increase backlogs and wait times across the board, with no guarantee we can avoid future furloughs. A return to normal operating procedures requires congressional intervention to sustain the agency through fiscal year 2021.”
What can I do to help my petition?
Those with active petitions should keep up to date with further announcements from the USCIS on petition delays. Legalpad will continue to post updates as they become available.
