Thoughts on Government sequestration/shutdown??

[dd215 9]

Guys, I'm a little worried. Seems that the Federal government is either headed towards sequestration (automatic drastic budget cuts across the board) or some sort of Government shutdown of federal agencies. March 1 is the deadline. I'm reading on this forum where many of the August K-1 filers thru the CSC are getting NO2's right about now. Our NO1 was September 4th! That means I was expecting to see something by mid March. If the government shutsdown or these huge budget cuts take effect, how will that affect the USCIS and the NVC? How long will things be delayed? I'm hoping that maybe the USCIS will try to clear as many filings as possible over the next couple of weeks (wishful thinking, I know). This really sucks. Our timing was brutal! Does anyone have a clue on how all of this drama in DC will affect the USCIS and us poor peons out here hoping to hear something from them soon? Thank you!

Edited February 27, 2013 by dd215

[Bayareaguy 156]

Not sure how the sequester will affect USCIS (USCIS is self funded, but may depend on other agencies for certain functions), but need to correct you on the August CSC K1 filers, there have not been many that have been processed (NOA2) yet, only a few. Even without the possible sequester problems, mid march would be very optimistic unless there was a huge change in the processing of K-1's by CSC.

[Bayareaguy 156]

From Igors list:

[dd215 9]

Thanks for the info. I didn't realize USCIS was self funded. I guess they should be with all the fees they collect!

[res4688 18]

USCIS may be self funded but all of its employees are federal and they will be furloughed starting April 15 for one day a week for 22 weeks. Processing will almost definitely slow down once this takes effect so everyone should prepare emotionally for further delays.

[X Factor 1,112]

They are talking that many government agencies will go on a 4 day weekly work schedule.

[res4688 18]

They are talking that many government agencies will go on a 4 day weekly work schedule.

I am one of them and the funny thing is they make it sound like its not that much but overall its a 20% paycut per pay period. No one can survive on that for nearly the rest of year.

[cassecouilles 3]

I am one of them and the funny thing is they make it sound like its not that much but overall its a 20% paycut per pay period. No one can survive on that for nearly the rest of year.

That really sucks :-s I'm a state employee as well, though I work abroad. Luckily for me, our laws in Belgium protect us and legally my employer is not allowed to force us to take leave without pay. I can imagine that when you have rent, a loan, daycare, etc to pay that it has devastating consequences. I've already made peace with the fact that our original plan of getting married in the US in May will alsmost certainly NOT happen. It really sucks, and I wish it didn't have to be this way, but there you go. There's no sense in getting all worked up about it. The people at CSC are just people too, probably scared and frustrated at what's going on, and are doing what they can. It's not like they look at the mountain high stack of files on their desks and think: hah i'm going to screw you guys over and work EXTRA slowly for the next couple of months. They're doing what they can. I still wish they were doing it a tad faster though :-p

[X Factor 1,112]

I am one of them and the funny thing is they make it sound like its not that much but overall its a 20% paycut per pay period. No one can survive on that for nearly the rest of year.

That really sucks. The last time this happened, government employees were given back pay to make up for thier lost wages.