USCIS has issued furlough notices to 70% of its workforce at the end of June. USCIS is a for profit agency that uses application fees to fund the agency and its employees. At the current moment, there are approximately 20,000 USCIS officers that process and review visa and immigration applications. If 70% are furloughed, less than 6,600 agents will remain working at the agency. If Congress does not provide additional funding and the furlough happens, visa applicants should expect longer wait times for receipt and application processing as significantly less agents will be working to review applications. The employees are expectant to be furloughed starting on August 3.
