One-Week Stopgap Spending Measure Funds Government Through December 18 As Budget Negotiations Continue

The issue

A temporary spending measure passed by the U.S. Congress will fund the U.S. government – including immigration operations – through December 18, 2020 while Congress continues to debate the FY 2021 federal budget. The bill now goes to President Trump, who is expected to sign the measure.

One-week extension of expiring immigration programs

The bill extends four expiring immigration programs through December 18, including E-Verify, the EB-5 Regional Center Program, the Conrad 30 Program for foreign medical graduates working in underserved areas, and the Special Immigrant Non-Minister Religious Worker permanent residence program.

These programs were initially set to expire on September 30, 2020. On that date, Congress passed a stopgap spending measure extending the programs to December 11, 2020 while FY2021 budget negotiations continued. With negotiations still ongoing, Congress has now passed another short-term measure.

What the short-term measure means for employers

Passage of a temporary spending bill means that there should be no interruption of federal operations for now. If Congress has not passed FY 2021 appropriations legislation or a further temporary measure by December 18, 2020, a government shutdown would occur. However, it is not unusual for Congress to continue passing successive short-term spending measures as budget negotiations continue.

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