Immigration services won’t furlough two-thirds of workers

WASHINGTON – A plan to furlough about two-thirds of the federal workers tasked with offering citizenship, green cards and visas to immigrants – which would have effectively brought the nation’s immigration system to a standstill – was canceled Tuesday, days before employees would have been removed from the payroll.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services announced it reversed course on its plan to furlough 13,400 of its 20,000 employees Aug. 30 “as a result of unprecedented spending cuts.”

The agency, which is under the Department of Homeland Security, is funded by money it makes from fees. The number of petitions seeking entry into the USA has decreased amid the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result of the pandemic, the president issued orders that barred entry into the USA by foreigners, including a halt on green cards. The agency said the pandemic led to a dramatic decline in revenue.

USCIS asked Congress for $1.2 billion through its next coronavirus relief package. After about two weeks of negotiations, talks dissolved as Democrats and the White House blamed each other for the stalemate.

The agency said it was able to keep its employees from furlough by “aggressive spending” cuts that will “impact all agency operations.” Though the furloughs were averted, USCIS Deputy Director for Policy Joseph Edlow cautioned that they could happen later if Congress does not approve more funds for the agency.

For weeks, lawmakers and union leaders pressured the agency to keep its employees on the payroll.

“I’m glad USCIS has rethought this decision, which would have crippled our immigration system and left so many in limbo,” Sen. John Cornyn, RTexas, said. “The coronavirus pandemic already leaves us with so much uncertainty for the future, and I’m glad USCIS will continue to help families achieve the American dream.”

Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee, said it was “welcome news,” but the “emotional strain placed on these members of our communities who did not know when their next paycheck would come was a completely needless crisis imposed by the Trump administration.”

The American Federation of Government Employees, which represents

USCIS employees, noted the work that went into ensuring workers would remain on the payroll.

“This is a major win for the hardworking and essential employees at USCIS,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said. “While the immediate threat of furloughs has passed, we still need Congress to act to prevent similar funding challenges and ensure that the agency is able to operate without further threats to workers and their jobs.”