Can I File Form I-589 During Government Shutdown? USCIS Offices Open

(UNITED STATES) As lawmakers wrestle with federal spending deadlines, people seeking protection in the United States are asking a pressing question: What happens to asylum when the government shuts down? As of October 1, 2025, the answer is clear. USCIS Operations continue, and USCIS Asylum Offices are open. That means people can still file Form I-589 and keep their cases moving, even if other federal services pause.

This continuation reflects how U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is funded. Because USCIS relies mostly on application fees rather than annual congressional appropriations, the agency has historically kept essential casework going through funding gaps, including asylum processing. According to the USCIS website, all asylum offices remain operational, and applicants should proceed with filing as planned.

Why continuity matters

Asylum applicants face strict rules, including the one-year filing deadline after entering the country. Missing that deadline can weaken a claim or limit forms of relief available. The ability to file Form I-589 during a shutdown helps people protect their legal rights and preserve their timeline. For families fleeing danger, that can be the difference between stability and more uncertainty.

What actually continues during a shutdown

The practical side is straightforward:

• If you’re ready to file, USCIS will accept your application during a shutdown.
• Case steps like receipt notices, biometrics appointments, and interview scheduling can continue.
• The agency’s fee-funded structure has insulated it in prior shutdowns (including the 2018–2019 lapse).
• While some partner agencies may slow certain steps, asylum offices themselves are working.

This alignment means applicants can still mail applications, file in person where allowed, and respond to USCIS notices within given deadlines.

Policy continuity during funding gaps

USCIS is set up to keep vital work going when Congress and the White House face a standoff. The reason is simple: most USCIS operations are funded by application and petition fees, not yearly federal budget bills. This design helps USCIS maintain core services, including asylum processing, when other parts of government face closures or reduced staffing.

USCIS’s approach has been consistent across shutdowns. While non‑essential federal services often pause, USCIS continues processing fee‑based requests, including asylum applications filed on Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal — for both affirmative asylum and related protections.

People often ask whether “open” means fully normal. The most accurate way to think about it:

• Asylum Offices aim to run as usual, but supporting pieces may slow due to other agencies’ staffing or facility schedules.
• If a federal building follows broader closure rules, an office might shift to remote interviews or adjust calendars.
• USCIS maintains flexibility to keep essential services going and will notify applicants of appointment changes.

USCIS maintains a page for sudden office closures. If a particular office must adjust its schedule, that page is updated. Applicants can check USCIS Office Closings for real-time updates on local conditions. But as of today, the agency states that all Asylum Offices remain open and processing cases.

Practical guidance for asylum seekers

If you are preparing to file, or you’re mid‑process, here’s what matters most right now:

• You can file Form I-589 during a government shutdown. USCIS will accept the application and issue a receipt if it meets filing requirements. Submit it to the correct address and comply with all instructions.
• All USCIS Asylum Offices are open, per the agency’s website. Interviews, biometrics, and mail processing continue unless you receive a specific reschedule notice.
• Protect your one-year deadline. Most asylum applicants must file within one year of arriving in the United States. If your deadline is near, do not wait.
• Watch your mail and online account. USCIS will send notices for biometrics and interviews. Keep your address updated with USCIS.
• Respond to RFEs and NOIDs by the due date. Shutdowns don’t pause response deadlines unless USCIS says so in writing.

For filing details, the official form is available here: Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal. The form is free to file with USCIS; instructions include where to send it, how to list family members, and what documents to provide. If you file by mail, use a trackable service and keep copies.

Biometrics and interviews

• After USCIS accepts your Form I-589, you’ll get a notice for fingerprinting and photographs at an Application Support Center. Attend biometrics on the scheduled date.
• Interviews continue to be scheduled and conducted. Prepare your testimony, evidence, and appropriate ID. Bring an interpreter if needed (check your notice for current rules).
• If your local office is affected by a closure, check USCIS Office Closings the day before.

Work authorization and related timing

• Work permits tied to pending asylum applications depend on the asylum clock and applicant actions.
• A shutdown does not stop you from filing for a work permit when eligible, though timelines can vary.
• Track your eligibility days carefully and apply for an EAD when you reach the threshold.

Mail, addresses, and contact

• USCIS mailrooms and lockbox facilities generally continue operations, but postal delivery can vary.
• Use trackable mailing and keep digital copies of submissions.
• For urgent needs like address changes, use your USCIS online account or AR-11.
• USCIS maintains a Contact Center and online tools; response times may vary.

What could still slow cases

Though USCIS keeps working, some factors outside its direct control can slow an asylum case:

• Building access: If a federal building closes, local office scheduling may change.
• Security checks: Background checks involving partner agencies can be delayed if those agencies reduce operations.
• Mail and courier delays: Local logistics, weather, or seasonal backlogs can slow delivery.
• Volume pressure: Filing surges can temporarily affect scheduling at local offices.

Despite these, the essential point remains: USCIS Asylum Offices are open, and asylum processing continues. Applicants should maintain diligence—meet deadlines, keep contact details current, and attend appointments.

Evidence, family filings, and special considerations

• Evidence gathering continues to be crucial: identity papers, medical records, police reports, country conditions material, and witness letters all strengthen a case.
• Families: A spouse and unmarried children under 21 in the U.S. may be included as derivatives on your Form I-589. If relatives are abroad, you may be eligible for follow-to-join after approval.
• Language access: Bring an interpreter if you do not speak English; check your interview notice for interpreter policies.
• Accommodations: Requests for disability or other accommodations are still reviewed during a shutdown.

Legal help and protections

• Licensed attorneys and accredited representatives remain the best source of legal advice.
• Community groups and legal clinics often continue services, though capacity may vary.
• Be cautious of notario fraud and unlicensed consultants.

Courts and other agencies

• Immigration courts (EOIR) are part of the Department of Justice, not USCIS. Court operations may follow different rules during a shutdown.
• USCIS acceptance and processing of Form I-589 continues, but court calendars depend on EOIR. Check your hearing status with EOIR and consult counsel if needed.

Key reminders and checklist

Important: A shutdown is a headline, not a halt. The essential functions that protect filing rights remain in place.

Checklist to keep your case on track during a shutdown:

1. File your Form I-589 if you’re within one year of arrival or have a valid exception.
2. Use the correct address and a trackable mailing method. Keep copies.
3. Check for your receipt notice and biometrics appointment.
4. Prepare for your interview. Bring ID, originals of key documents, and an interpreter if required.
5. Update your address promptly (within 10 days).
6. Watch for any USCIS letters and respond by the stated deadline.
7. Check USCIS Office Closings before appointments.
8. Use the official form page—Form I-589, Application for Asylum and for Withholding of Removal—for instructions and updates.

Final takeaway

For families who have fled danger, the path can feel long and uncertain. A shutdown can add worry, but the core message from the agency is steady: USCIS Asylum Offices are open, and asylum processing continues. File your Form I-589 on time, keep your address current, attend biometrics and interviews, and rely on official USCIS updates rather than rumors. That steady approach gives your case the best chance to move forward, even in a tense political season.