--- title: Government Shutdown-What happens to Immigration Services? description: "CIS Ombudsman: The CIS Ombudsman's Office will be closed and will not be accepting any inquiries through their online case intake system. DOL: OFLC f" --- [ info@pollakimmigration.com](mailto:info@pollakimmigration.com)[ 954-250-8335](tel:954-250-8335) [BOOK YOUR MEETING ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/contact-us/) # Government Shutdown-What happens to Immigration Services? Posted by [ Michael Pollak ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/author/michael-pollak) October 1, 2013 **![ Dept. of Homeland Security, ICE, USCIS](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/karenpollak-resized-600-Jan-03-2025-12-31-46-8652-PM.jpg?width=100&height=113&name=karenpollak-resized-600-Jan-03-2025-12-31-46-8652-PM.jpg)CIS Ombudsman:** The [CIS Ombudsman's Office will be closed](http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=35062&linkid=267339) and will not be accepting any inquiries through their online case intake system. **[DOL](http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=35062&linkid=267281):** OFLC functions are not "excepted" from a shutdown and its employees would be placed in furlough status should a lapse in appropriated funds occur. Consequently, in the event of a government shutdown, OFLC will neither accept nor process any applications or related materials (such as audit responses), it receives, including Labor Condition Applications, Applications for Prevailing Wage Determination, Applications for Temporary Employment Certification, or Applications for Permanent Employment Certification. OFLC's web site, including the iCERT Visa Portal System and the PERM system, would become static and unable to process any requests or allow authorized users to access their online accounts. DOL's Office of Administrative Law Judges will be [unable to perform any case-related activities](http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=35062&linkid=267323), including conducting hearings. Hearings that have been previously scheduled will therefore be cancelled prior to the date of the hearing, and they will not be rescheduled for hearing until an appropriations bill or continuing resolution takes effect. **DHS:** Due to the lapse in federal, [DHS’s website will not be actively managed](http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=35062&linkid=267299). **DOS:** The Department will continue as many normal operations as possible; operating status and available funding will need to be monitored continuously and closely, and planning for a lapse in appropriations must be continued. Review their [“Guidance on Operations”](http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=45922&linkid=267219) for more information. **EOIR**: EOIR has indicated that its response to a potential shutdown is the same as it was in 2011. EOIR has been advised to "put its shutdown plans in place." As with other agencies, personnel who are not considered "essential" will be furloughed. EOIR has indicated that the detained docket would likely be considered an essential function and would therefore be able to continue in operation. Update from EOIR on October 1, 2013: Court functions that support the detained caseload will continue, but other functions are suspended. The Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) is processing emergency stay requests as well as cases where the alien is detained, including case appeals, motions, federal court remands, and bonds. Please review [their notice for more information](http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=35062&linkid=267287). **ICE:** From ICE Community Outreach - ICE detention and enforcement operations shall continue. ICE chief counsel trail attorneys will still work on the detained docket only during a shutdown. Please coordinate with your local Chief Counsel Office on more specifics. The ICE Community and Detainee Helpline will remain operational. **USCIS:** All [USCIS offices worldwide are open](http://www.aila.org/content/fileviewer.aspx?docid=35062&linkid=267329) and individuals should report to interviews and appointments as scheduled. E-Verify is currently unavailable due to a government shutdown. 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[ Read More ](https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/bid/78696/immigration-attorney-karen-pollak-speaks-at-lawreviewcle) ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "BlogPosting", "author" : { "@type" : "Person", "name" : "Michael Pollak", "url" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/author/michael-pollak" }, "dateModified" : "2025-01-03T12:34:30.082Z", "datePublished" : "2013-10-01T05:00:00.000Z", "headline" : "Government Shutdown-What happens to Immigration Services?", "mainEntityOfPage" : { "@id" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/blog/bid/99209/government-shutdown-what-happens-to-immigration-services", "@type" : "WebPage" }, "publisher" : { "@type" : "Organization", "logo" : { "@type" : "ImageObject", "url" : "//www.pollakimmigration.com/hubfs/Pollack-2017/Image/Pollack-orange-logo.png" }, "name" : "Pollak PLLC" } } ``` ```json { "@context" : "https://schema.org", "@type" : "LegalService", "department" : [ { "@type" : "LegalService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Addison", "addressRegion" : "TX", "postalCode" : "75001", "streetAddress" : "5057 Keller Springs Rd, Suite 300" }, "email" : "info@pollakimmigration.com", "hasMap" : "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pollak+PLLC/@32.958844,-96.8230226,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x864e993b29f864ef:0x4b23f3951a7aaedd!8m2!3d32.958844!4d-96.8230226!16s%2Fg%2F11c7_xxcf1?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D", "name" : "Pollak PLLC - Addison Office", "telephone" : "+1-214-307-5510", "url" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/areas-we-serve/dallas" }, { "@type" : "LegalService", "address" : { "@type" : "PostalAddress", "addressCountry" : "US", "addressLocality" : "Fort Lauderdale", "addressRegion" : "FL", "postalCode" : "33304", "streetAddress" : "2598 E Sunrise Blvd, Suite #2104" }, "email" : "info@pollakimmigration.com", "hasMap" : "https://www.google.com/maps/place/Pollak+PLLC/@26.1373128,-80.1111488,17z/data=!4m6!3m5!1s0x88d9015e5c8534cb:0x87dca60227fd9933!8m2!3d26.1373128!4d-80.1111488!16s%2Fg%2F11y7d84z5g?hl=en&entry=ttu&g_ep=EgoyMDI1MDcyMy4wIKXMDSoASAFQAw%3D%3D", "name" : "Pollak PLLC - Fort Lauderdale Office", "telephone" : "+1-214-307-5510", "url" : "https://www.pollakimmigration.com/areas-we-serve/fort-lauderdale" } ], "description" : "Pollak PLLC is a trusted immigration law firm with over 100 five-star reviews, serving business owners, executives, investors, and professionals seeking employment- and investment-based immigration solutions. 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