Congress Passes Short-Term Spending Measure Temporarily Extending Key Immigration Programs

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At a glance

• A continuing resolution will fund the federal government through November 21, 2019.
• The E-Verify and EB-5 Regional Center programs, among others, will be extended through the same date.

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The issue

Congress has voted to temporarily extend federal government funding through November 21, 2019. The spending measure means that federal functions – including immigration operations – will continue uninterrupted through November 21, 2019, while FY 2020 budget negotiations continue. The bill now goes to President Trump for signature. The President is expected to sign the measure.

Temporary extension of expiring immigration programs

The interim spending bill temporarily extends the following programs without change through November 21:

• E-Verify;
• The EB-5 regional center permanent residence program for foreign investors;
• The Conrad 30 waiver program for foreign medical graduates working in areas of the United States that are underserved by physicians; and
• The special immigrant non-minister religious worker program.

The programs were set to expire on September 30.

What the short-term spending measure means for employers

Passage of a temporary spending measure means that there will be no interruption of federal operations for now, though a government shutdown could occur if there is no agreement on FY 2020 appropriations legislation by November 21, 2019.

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.