Government Shutdown Snarls U.S. Air Travel: Nearly 7,000 Flights Delayed in One Day - VisaHQ
Key Takeaways
- It has been reported that nearly 7,000 U.S. flights were delayed in a single day as a federal shutdown strained aviation operations.
- Essential airport and border staff (TSA, CBP, and air traffic controllers) continue working without pay, increasing the risk of long lines and staffing gaps.
- USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) generally remains open because it is fee-funded; immigration courts for non-detained cases and E‑Verify have historically paused during shutdowns.
- Visa applicants and travelers should expect disruptions, monitor consular updates, and consider status-protection steps if departure is delayed.
- Missed interviews or hearings due to travel chaos should be promptly rescheduled with the relevant agency or court.
Air Disruptions Spread to the Immigration Journey
VisaHQ reported that nearly 7,000 flights across the United States were delayed in a single day as the federal government shutdown rippled through airports. For immigrants, international students, temporary workers, and visitors, the immediate concern is practical: missed connections into the U.S., late arrivals to consular visa interviews abroad, or delays reaching domestic USCIS appointments. Even a routine trip can turn precarious when rebookings push travelers up against status deadlines or critical appointment dates.
What Keeps Running—and What Slows—During a Shutdown
At airports and borders, essential personnel remain on duty. TSA (Transportation Security Administration) screeners, CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection) officers at ports of entry, and FAA air traffic controllers continue operations but without pay. In prior shutdowns, such conditions allegedly contributed to sick-outs and longer wait times, raising the risk of cascading delays. By contrast, many back-office or support functions across agencies face constraints, amplifying chokepoints travelers feel at checkpoints and during rebooking.
Immigration Processing: Mixed Continuity
USCIS, which is largely funded by application fees, typically keeps processing cases and holding biometrics and interviews. If a flight disruption causes a missed USCIS appointment, request a reschedule as instructed on the notice. At the State Department (DOS), most consular visa and passport services also rely on fees and often continue where local resources allow, but specific posts may scale back—monitor the embassy/consulate website and contact them to reschedule if a flight delay caused a no‑show. Immigration courts (EOIR, within the Department of Justice) have historically closed most non‑detained dockets during shutdowns while detained cases proceed; check EOIR’s status and call centers for updates. E‑Verify, the DHS employment verification system, typically goes offline during shutdowns; DHS usually grants employers extra time to create cases once service resumes, which can delay onboarding for new hires.
What Travelers and Applicants Should Do Now
Build in extra time at airports, carry all original status documents (passport, visa, I‑94 printout, I‑20/DS‑2019, I‑797 approval), and keep proof of any cancellations. If you risk overstaying because you cannot depart, consult counsel promptly: certain nonimmigrants can file an I‑539 extension with USCIS, and Visa Waiver Program travelers may be able to request “Satisfactory Departure” from CBP or USCIS when extraordinary events prevent timely exit. If you miss a consular interview, contact the post to reschedule; if you miss a court hearing, follow EOIR instructions immediately to avoid an in‑absentia order. Employers should monitor DHS guidance on E‑Verify timing and maintain I‑9 compliance while the system is unavailable.
Source: Original Article