When the Government Lays Off Immigration Staff: What It Means for Your Case
In recent months, a troubling trend has emerged: high-profile resignations and terminations within immigration-related agencies. For individuals and families depending on timely immigration processing, this isn’t just political noise—it’s a direct threat to their future. But what makes these staffing decisions particularly baffling is that they impact a system that is largely self-funded.
In recent months, a troubling trend has emerged: high-profile resignations and terminations within immigration-related agencies. For individuals and families depending on timely immigration processing, this isn’t just political noise—it’s a direct threat to their future. But what makes these staffing decisions particularly baffling is that they impact a system that is largely self-funded.
USCIS Is 100% Fee-Funded—So Why the Cuts?
Unlike many government agencies that rely on congressional appropriations, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is entirely fee-funded. This means every application, petition, and request submitted to the agency pays for the infrastructure and personnel needed to process it1. According to the Department of Homeland Security, “USCIS is a fee-funded agency with approximately 97 percent of its budget derived from application and petition fees”2. In fact, in multiple budget justifications, USCIS has reiterated that nearly all its operations depend on user fees, not taxpayer dollars.
This is why the recent decision to terminate or force the resignation of staff has left immigration professionals, advocates, and applicants alike scratching their heads. Terminating employees whose salaries are covered by petitioners and applicants—not the general federal budget—undermines the very funding model USCIS relies on.
A Confusing Approach to Efficiency
The federal government has claimed that such staffing changes are part of an effort to increase efficiency. Yet it's unclear how removing experienced personnel—especially those paid for through a fee-based model—will streamline operations. Historically, such cuts have led to the opposite: slower processing times, larger backlogs, and more errors.
Moreover, these terminations come at a time when USCIS already faces processing delays for many petition types, ranging from family-based green cards to employment-based visas. As of 2024, many service centers report delays of 12–18 months or longer for petitions that once took just a few months.
What This Means for Petitioners
If you’ve filed—or are planning to file—an immigration petition, the government’s staffing shakeups could directly affect you. Fewer adjudicators and administrative staff can mean:
Longer wait times
Delayed work authorizations
Increased Requests for Evidence (RFEs)
Potential for errors or misfilings
In short, the system is under more strain than ever, and those delays can have real consequences for families, employers, and individuals seeking lawful immigration status.
Now More Than Ever, Trusted Legal Help Matters
Given this uncertainty, securing experienced legal counsel is more critical than ever. A qualified immigration attorney can help:
Ensure that your petition is complete and compelling, reducing the chance of delays or denials.
Monitor your case status and follow up with USCIS on your behalf.
Advocate for your rights in the event of procedural issues or unexpected government actions.
Our firm remains committed to navigating these complexities with you. As the government reshapes the landscape of immigration services, we’re here to ensure you don’t face it alone.
Footnotes
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. Budget Overview – FY 2024 Congressional Justification. https://www.uscis.gov/sites/default/files/document/reports/USCIS-FY2024-Budget-Overview.pdf.
Department of Homeland Security. Budget in Brief, FY 2024. https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-03/dhs_bib_fy_2024.pdf.