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With talks over a covid relief package collapsed, it seems very likely U.S. Citizenship and Immigration services will move ahead with furloughing 70% of its staff later this month. That will mean a near-complete shutdown of the legal immigration system https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-immigration-agency-delays-planned-furloughs-11595638163
Let’s tick through some of the consequences of USCIS largely shutting down: people in queue to become naturalized citizens won’t get there in time for the 2020 election https://www.wsj.com/articles/coronavirus-fueled-freeze-on-citizen-oath-ceremonies-threatens-voter-registration-for-2020-11591010412
Even if border restrictions are lifted and consulates reopen, visas (for marriage, fiancées, work, etc.) won’t get processed https://www.wsj.com/amp/articles/as-pandemic-keeps-borders-shut-closed-consulates-are-biggest-barrier-for-many-11593250200
DACA recipients who are still eligible to renew their DACA...can’t https://www.wsj.com/articles/trump-administration-moves-to-curb-daca-as-it-reviews-whether-to-cancel-program-11595960186
People waiting to apply for asylum (or stuck abroad in refugee camps) will have to wait longer https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-muslim-uighurs-are-stuck-in-u-s-immigration-limbo-11595937603
13,400 people are set to lose at least a month of pay, and not just in DC: in small towns in Vermont, Missouri and California among other places https://www.wsj.com/articles/immigration-agency-to-furlough-two-thirds-of-staff-suspend-services-absent-a-bailout-from-congress-11593601200
That could result in attrition of a lot of staff, including highly trained officers who run our refugee and asylum programs. That could make ramping up those programs under a President Joe Biden a tougher task https://www.wsj.com/articles/immigration-agency-to-furlough-two-thirds-of-staff-suspend-services-absent-a-bailout-from-congress-11593601200
Not to mention the price to file a citizenship application is about to go up by 80% in October (among other fees.) Trump admin source says he believes these fee increases aren't enough to make up lost money resulting in furloughs https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-to-raise-cost-for-citizenship-applications-impose-fee-for-asylum-seekers-11596227193
