The current lapse in annual appropriated funding for the U.S. government does not affect USCIS’s fee-funded activities. Our offices will remain open, and all individuals should attend interviews and appointments as scheduled. USCIS will continue to accept petitions and applications for benefit requests, except as noted below.
Some USCIS programs, however, will either expire or suspend operations, or be otherwise affected, until they receive appropriated funds or are reauthorized by Congress.
USCIS offices will be closed on Monday, Dec. 24. President Trump declared that all federal departments and agencies are closed and all employees are excused from duty on that day.
Naturalization ceremonies, interviews, and appointments set for that day will be rescheduled.
USCIS is revising guidance in the USCIS Policy Manual to update and clarify filing procedures and adjudications on Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions. Please see the Policy Alert for more detailed information:
Policy Alert: Sufficiency of Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions Filing (Form N-648) (Final date for comments: Dec. 27, 2018)
On April 18, 2017, President Trump signed the Buy American and Hire American Executive Order, which seeks to create higher wages and employment rates for U.S. workers and to protect their economic interests by rigorously enforcing and administering our immigration laws. It also directs DHS, in coordination with other agencies, to advance policies to help ensure H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid beneficiaries.
USCIS is working on a combination of rulemaking, policy memoranda, and operational changes to implement the Buy American and Hire American Executive Order. We are creating and carrying out these initiatives to protect the economic interests of U.S. workers and prevent fraud and abuse within the immigration system.
As part of the agency’s efforts to streamline requests for case assistance, we are discontinuing the use of USCIS service center e-mail boxes for case-specific questions on Jan. 21, 2019.
“USCIS and the Legacy of Ellis Island” tells the story of Ellis Island through the perspective of those who worked there and highlights the historical connections between our mission and this iconic historic site. Watch the trailer or view the full video on our Youtube channel.
Official Website of the Department of Homeland Security
USCIS is revising guidance in the 
On April 18, 2017, President Trump signed the Buy American and Hire American Executive Order, which seeks to create higher wages and employment rates for U.S. workers and to protect their economic interests by rigorously enforcing and administering our immigration laws. It also directs DHS, in coordination with other agencies, to advance policies to help ensure H-1B visas are awarded to the most-skilled or highest-paid beneficiaries.