US immigration agency job cuts will bring visa system to a halt

US immigration agency job cuts will bring visa system to a halt

The US federal agency responsible for immigration, processing visa applications and approving citizenship is threatening to furlough more than half of its workforce unless Congress provides additional funding, according to a spokesperson.

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is preparing to furlough 70 percent of its staff, unless it receives fresh funding, which would bring an already backlogged system to a virtual halt.

USCS, an agency of the Department of State largely depends on fees from new immigration applications for its operations, now faces an historic budget shortfall.

This comes at a time when President Donald Trump’s 2020 re-election campaign manifesto highlights slashing legal and undocumented immigration to America.

Already the number of new immigrants to the US has been dramatically curtailed by new regulations, executive actions and travel restrictions introduced to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

The agency has seen fee income decline by 50% since March has requested a $1.2bn bailout from Congress to avoid drastic staff reductions.

"On or before July 2, approximately 13,400 USCIS employees will receive notice that if USCIS must proceed with an administrative furlough, they would be furloughed beginning August 3," the USCIS spokesperson's statement said.

Staff furloughs "will for sure cause noticeable delays immediately," one USCIS employee, who asked not to be named, told the Reuters News Agency. "There are already so many backlogs to work through. It's insane to even contemplate how bad this is going to get."

This week, Trump signed a presidential proclamation banning US entry under a number of categories of temporary visa holders. He also extended the ban on some green card applicants, which the administration said would help open more jobs for unemployed Americans.

The move may win Trump votes, but could also hurt the beleaguered US economy, which has seen many States put the brakes on reopening for business following a spike in Coronavirus Covid 19 cases.

Western nations compete for talented nurses, doctors, engineers, teachers, as well as entrepreneurs and investors. Even if their ultimate destination is America, professionals, such as nurses from the Philippines, will often apply for jobs in the UK, New Zealand or Australia to work or settle abroad. Not all will pursue the American dream after gaining permanent residence or citizenship in another country

Wealthy business people and investors may choose to take their money elsewhere and settle in countries like Canada and Australia or EU countries where they feel more welcome.

EU countries, such as Cyprus offer a guaranteed route to citizenship in the European Union.

The Cypriot immigration policy and legal framework now enable Non-EU applicants to obtain Cypriot citizenship on an expedited basis – fast.

If you have funds to invest and would like to know more about the Cyprus golden visa programme visit: http://eugoldenvisaprogramme.com