US immigration services set to furlough two-thirds of its workers after coronavirus stimulus talks fail (merged)

[OrihimeandIchigo 216]

WASHINGTON – The federal agency tasked with offering citizenship, green cards and visas to immigrants is planning to furlough about two-thirds of its workers at the end of the month after Congress failed to reach a deal on a coronavirus stimulus package. 

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services notified about 13,400 of its 20,000 employees that they would be furloughed Aug. 30 because of budget shortfalls, which the agency hoped Congress would fill in its next relief package before negotiations stalled last week. 

"In the past few months, USCIS has taken action to avert a fiscal crisis, including limiting spending to salary and mission-critical activities," an agency spokesperson said. "Without congressional intervention, USCIS will have to take drastic actions to keep the agency solvent." 

The agency had asked Congress for $1.2 billion, and the money had been expected to come through its next coroanvirus relief package. But after about two weeks of negotiations, talks dissolved as Democrats and the White House blamed each other for the stalemate.

In the end, the president signed four executive orders trying to fill the gap on some stimulus programs, though they did not deal with immigration services. Questions remain over whether the orders will ultimately be successful in carrying out Trump's aims.

 

https://eu.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2020/08/11/covid-19-stimulus-deal-us-immigration-services-plans-furloughs/3344178001/

[Blkbam 39]

I saw this the other day and almost posted it but I couldn't find anyone else reporting on a change in the situation. The article felt like a rehash of previous articles with nothing new. Even the videos are unrelated. I still can't tell if new notifications were sent or it's the original notification and just saying they were sent a few weeks ago. 

[JasonPII 30]

How is this going to affect the legal immigrants here, specifically those that need to renew their green cards or remove the condition on their green card (this is my case)?

 

Green card holders cannot be kicked out right? Unless it is ordered by an immigration judge. What is the scenario if my application to remove condition isn't processed? Do I need to get the stamp to keep extending it until 10-year GC is granted?

[Crtcl Rice Theory 2,432]

Here is another article on Forbes

U.S. Immigration Shutdown Imminent As Congress Talks Collapse

 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/andyjsemotiuk/2020/08/13/us-immigration-shutdown-imminent-as-congress-talks-collapse/

[Crtcl Rice Theory 2,432]

2 hours ago, JasonPII said:

How is this going to affect the legal immigrants here, specifically those that need to renew their green cards or remove the condition on their green card (this is my case)?

 

Green card holders cannot be kicked out right? Unless it is ordered by an immigration judge. What is the scenario if my application to remove condition isn't processed? Do I need to get the stamp to keep extending it until 10-year GC is granted?

There was a lot of concern on your issue during the last government shutdown with the AOS delayed. There must be someone here who can relate how the delay worked.

[MlovesG 1]

On 8/13/2020 at 4:08 PM, JasonPII said:

How is this going to affect the legal immigrants here, specifically those that need to renew their green cards or remove the condition on their green card (this is my case)?

 

Green card holders cannot be kicked out right? Unless it is ordered by an immigration judge. What is the scenario if my application to remove condition isn't processed? Do I need to get the stamp to keep extending it until 10-year GC is granted?

I am in the same situation. I didn’t know about a stamp to extend conditional GC. Let’s hope someone wiser than I replies. 

[pablo2752 106]

Honestly at this point, I am trying to be on coasting mode. 

[Cheburashka34 228]

I was reading this article https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2020/08/17/uscis-staff-furloughs-will-grind-legal-immigration-to-a-halt/

And I really don't understand how this could happen. With 13,000 less employees it will take like five years to get any visa done!

What do you guys think? Is immigration doomed?

[millefleur 5,047]

**One duplicate thread removed**

 

**Similar threads on the same news topic merged**

 

VJ Moderation

Edited August 17, 2020 by millefleur

[xxlian 100]

27 minutes ago, Cheburashka34 said:

I was reading this article https://www.forbes.com/sites/stuartanderson/2020/08/17/uscis-staff-furloughs-will-grind-legal-immigration-to-a-halt/

And I really don't understand how this could happen. With 13,000 less employees it will take like five years to get any visa done!

What do you guys think? Is immigration doomed?

I understand that fear, but according to several news sources that I have read, the letter that USCIS staff received stated that the furloughs were expected to last 30-90 days. It doesn't sound like they expect it to last an indefinite amount of time. With that being said, the new USCIS fees are set to begin in October, so I would think that the increase on many of those fees would help?

[Greenbaum 12,259]

29 minutes ago, James120383 said:

part of white house plan to stop all immigration cause all immigrants are doing is take jobs away..

 

I haven't read where the WH is going to "stop" all immigration. If you know something the rest of don't please share a link as I am curious where that information is coming from. I see only illegal immigration, those that will become a ward of state and suck our taxes to help support their lifestyle are being hindered; but those who want to be employed can seek employment. Nothing stopping them. I'm trying to get my arms around your statements as I see things differently. I'm always looking to be educated. Thanks.

[Cheburashka34 228]

47 minutes ago, xxlian said:

I understand that fear, but according to several news sources that I have read, the letter that USCIS staff received stated that the furloughs were expected to last 30-90 days. It doesn't sound like they expect it to last an indefinite amount of time. With that being said, the new USCIS fees are set to begin in October, so I would think that the increase on many of those fees would help?

Omg thank you!! I had no idea it was just for a couple of months. All the news about it act like it is forever. And yes hopefully the new fees will help. Thank you for answering you are awesome 😊

[pablo2752 106]

One, yes itwill slow down immigration but this furlough isn't going to last that long. 

Two, according to someone I know, many of immigration processes are automated, so it may not be that slowed than it already it is.

[geowrian 22,337]

Yes, furloughs would impact processing at USCIS.

To what degree ("halt" is incorrect) and for how long are something we can only make broad guesses at.

Supposedly the number of new fee-bearing forms being sent to USCIS is also down around 50%, so that would need to be taken into account as well.

 

I-551 stamps can be obtained to extend LPR status as needed in the event of excessive delays. So existing LPRs would have options.

The last time average ROC timelines expanded beyond the duration of the extension letter, they extended the extension letter's validity.

[Greenbaum 12,259]

2 hours ago, James120383 said:

perhaps you havent read any of the EO's passed in the last 9 months. All of them achieve nothing but put hurdles to all immigrants.  The least white house could have done is to Stop COVID which they failed miserably. So they are using all immigrants as scape goats for the miserable failures. 

You still have failed to opine with any authority that immigration is totally stopped which was the basis for my original argument. Yes, there are some categories that he has tightened up on, but the immigration pendulum has swung from one direction to another.

 

So, what would you have wanted the President to do to Stop COVID? There isn't one country that has been able to control COVID. If there is, please name it. As I see it there is NONE. Even New Zealand who had none now has some cases. 

 

The destruction of reason has seen the triumph of ignorance.