As of October 1, 2025, the U.S. federal government has shut down following a failure to pass funding legislation, affecting various agencies and creating ripple effects for immigration processes. While essential services continue, non-essential operations halt, leading to targeted disruptions in the immigration system. For Vietnamese families pursuing family reunifications or professionals seeking work visas, understanding these impacts is vital to navigating delays without derailing your plans.

At Truong Law Firm, PLLC, we specialize in U.S. immigration services for Vietnamese clients, having supported thousands through EB-5 investor programs, family-based green cards, and employment visas. This shutdown highlights the need for expert guidance: while USCIS – funded primarily by user fees – will process most applications uninterrupted, dependencies on the Department of Labor (DOL) mean significant halts for certain employment-based filings. We’ve helped clients mitigate past shutdowns by prioritizing fee-funded pathways and preparing contingency filings.

What’s Impacted by the Shutdown?

• DOL Processes: All immigration-related DOL operations cease, including Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visas, and PERM labor certifications for green cards. This delays new employment-based petitions requiring these approvals.
• E-Verify and Related Systems: Employer verification tools may be unavailable, complicating I-9 compliance for new hires.
• Interagency Dependencies: Applications needing input from shuttered agencies (e.g., State Department for some consular processing) could face slowdowns, potentially delaying visa interviews abroad.
• Immigration Courts (EOIR): Non-detained hearings may be postponed, extending waits for asylum or adjustment cases.

What’s Not Impacted?

• Most USCIS Operations: Fee-funded activities continue, including filing and processing of forms like I-130 (family petitions), I-485 (adjustment of status), I-765 (work authorization), N-400 (naturalization), and EB-5 investor visas. Biometrics appointments and interviews proceed as scheduled.
• Border and Enforcement: CBP and ICE essential functions remain operational, so travel and entry aren’t directly affected.

Impacts on Applications Already in Processing

Ongoing USCIS applications generally continue without interruption, as the agency operates on fees. However, if your case requires DOL certification (e.g., pending PERM for EB-2/EB-3 green cards), expect delays until the shutdown ends. For Vietnamese clients in mid-process for family-based or EB-5 visas, processing should move forward – our team can monitor and expedite where possible.

What Happens to New Applications?

New filings can still be submitted to USCIS and will be accepted and processed if fee-funded. But for those needing DOL approvals (like new H-1B petitions requiring LCAs), submissions may be stalled or impossible until funding resumes. We recommend filing non-DOL-dependent applications now, such as K-1 fiancé(e) visas or EB-5, and preparing DOL-related documents for immediate submission post-shutdown.

This event underscores the value of our ethical, proactive services tailored for the Vietnamese community. Avoid fraud risks by partnering with us to secure compliant pathways and minimize disruptions.

Contact Truong Law Firm, PLLC for a free consultation – let’s keep your American journey on track.

FAQ

1: What immigration processes are most impacted by the 2025 shutdown? A: DOL halts LCAs and PERM, delaying H-1B and employment-based green cards; interagency cases may slow.

2: What continues unaffected at USCIS? A: Most fee-funded filings and processing, like family petitions, naturalization, and EB-5 visas.

3: Are my in-process applications at risk? A: USCIS continues processing, but DOL-dependent steps pause; non-DOL cases proceed normally.

4: Can I submit a new visa application during the shutdown? A: Yes for USCIS fee-based forms, but DOL-required ones (e.g., new H-1B) can’t proceed fully.

5: How can Truong Law Firm, PLLC assist Vietnamese clients now? A: We provide shutdown audits, priority filings for unaffected paths, and Vietnamese support to avoid delays.