Biometric Appointments at USCIS ASCs During a Shutdown: What to Expect

(UNITED STATES) USCIS says its fee-funded operations continue during federal funding lapses, and as of October 1, 2025, there is no sign that biometric appointments at Application Support Centers are being canceled due to a government shutdown. The practical message for applicants is simple: attend your biometric appointments unless USCIS tells you otherwise.

The agency’s public-facing closure notices focus on weather, facility problems, or local emergencies, not shutdowns, and there has been no official word of ASC closures tied to budget standoffs.

Why ASCs are likely to stay open

USCIS runs mostly on filing fees paid by applicants rather than relying solely on annual appropriations from Congress. That funding structure lets Application Support Centers—which collect fingerprints, photos, and signatures for green cards, naturalization, asylum-related benefits, and work permits—keep operating even when other government services pause.

This pattern mirrors previous shutdowns: while systems like E-Verify or some Department of Labor services have slowed or stopped, USCIS biometrics have often continued. Analysis by VisaVerge.com shows that fee-backed continuity has historically protected USCIS’s core case intake and identity checks.

USCIS has not posted shutdown-specific ASC closures or broad cancellations. The agency instructs applicants to check the USCIS Office Closings page on the day of their appointment for the most current status. If an ASC is closed for any reason, USCIS will automatically reschedule the appointment, and applicants do not need to contact the agency to ask for a new date.

Missing a biometric appointment without cause can cause delays. The safest course is to go as planned unless you receive a notice directing otherwise.

Policy posture and current signals

• As of October 2025, there is no official change to ASC operations due to funding disputes.
• During the COVID-19 emergency, USCIS temporarily reused previously captured biometrics for some filings when ASCs were closed; that was a public health measure and is not a standard shutdown procedure.
• Today, USCIS expects most people to appear in person so identity checks and background screenings can move forward and keep cases on track.

A prolonged shutdown could, in theory, test USCIS fee reserves and lead to reduced operations. There’s no evidence that is happening now. If risk grows, USCIS would be expected to issue public updates through official channels.

For applicants and attorneys, the core protective step is simple: monitor USCIS notices and read any appointment letter carefully. If your notice is still valid and you have not received a cancellation, you should attend.

Why continuity matters

USCIS’s steady ASC posture matters to families and employers across the United States.

• Biometrics unlock next steps in many cases:
  • Background checks for adjustment of status
  • Identity verification for naturalization
  • Eligibility checks tied to employment authorization and travel documents

When biometrics proceed, applicants are less likely to face cascading delays that can ripple into expiring jobs, stalled school plans, or family separation.

Attorneys note this continuity reduces stress for people already facing long processing times. Examples:

• A lawful permanent resident renewing a green card can move forward if biometrics are taken on schedule.
• A DACA recipient can avoid a gap in employment if biometrics and subsequent steps proceed promptly.
• Employers benefit when new hires waiting on employment authorization can start work faster.

Practical guidance for applicants

1. Plan to attend your appointment.
   • Unless you receive a notice that USCIS canceled or rescheduled, show up on time with your original notice and a government-issued photo ID.
2. Check the morning of your visit.
   • Look at the USCIS Office Closings page for location-specific updates.
   • If your ASC is listed as closed, USCIS will handle rescheduling.

1. Bring your paperwork.
   • Keep copies of your appointment notice, any reschedule notice, and related correspondence in case an officer asks for them or a future inquiry is needed.
2. Monitor your USCIS online account.
   • If you have an online account linked to your case, review it for changes to your appointment or case status.
3. If you’re sick, follow instructions on your notice.
   • USCIS has health and safety rules; if you can’t attend for medical reasons, follow the directions on your notice to request a new date.
4. If an ASC is closed, don’t panic.
   • The agency will automatically send a new appointment without action from you. Keep your address current so the notice arrives.

If you believe your ASC was closed and you did not receive a new date within a reasonable time, contact the USCIS Contact Center at 1-800-375-5283 or raise a service request through your online account. Keep a log of calls and screenshots of any online updates. In rare cases involving mail delivery problems, these records help officers verify what happened and issue a fresh notice.

What to watch for if the shutdown continues

• If the shutdown drags on for many weeks and pressures reserves, watch for clear, written guidance from USCIS.
• The agency would signal any changes such as:
  • Scaling back ASC hours
  • Prioritizing certain case types
  • Adjusting schedules

Until then, the operating rule stands: go to your biometrics as scheduled unless USCIS cancels or reschedules.

VisaVerge.com reports that in prior funding lapses, the biggest immigration slowdowns occurred outside USCIS—particularly at the Department of Labor and in E-Verify—while ASC biometrics largely proceeded. That history, combined with current signals from USCIS, supports the same approach now: steady attendance, routine checks for updates, and careful record-keeping by applicants and employers.