Are there any implications for international travel or customs processing?

Generally, international travel and customs processing under a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) shutdown are **not expected to cease entirely**, but travelers may experience **longer wait times at airports** due to staffing shortages caused by furloughs or increased unscheduled absences among essential personnel. While critical functions like airport security and border control continue, agencies heavily reliant on congressional appropriations often see reduced staffing, which directly impacts service speed for travelers and immigrants alike (https://www.wmtw.com/article/will-travel-plans-be-impacted-by-looming-government-shutdown-dhs-officials-weigh-in/70324704). This situation highlights the complex reliance of national security and travel infrastructure on timely federal funding.

### What happens to TSA and airport screening during a DHS funding lapse?

Despite the potential for a DHS shutdown, air travel operations are expected to **continue** because Transportation Security Administration (TSA) officers are designated as essential workers and must continue their duties (https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/how-a-government-shutdown-could-affect-travel). However, the primary implication arises from the **lack of immediate pay**. Historically, approximately 95 percent of TSA employees have been required to work without receiving their paychecks during a shutdown, which often leads to an increase in unscheduled absences (https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5734644-heres-how-a-shutdown-will-affect-dhs-agencies/). This reduction in available, operational staff directly translates into **slower processing lines** and potentially extended wait times for passengers clearing security checkpoints.

### Will visa processing or USCIS operations be affected for prospective travelers?

The impact on immigration and visa processing is highly dependent on the specific agency and its funding source. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which handles most petitions and applications, is largely **fee-funded**, meaning it is expected to **continue operating and adjudicating most cases** even during a lapse in appropriations (https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2025/10/impact-of-us-government-shutdown-on-immigration-and-consular-operations). However, services that rely on annual congressional appropriations, such as E-Verify, are suspended (https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2025/10/impact-of-us-government-shutdown-on-immigration-and-consular-operations). While consular operations abroad (which process visas) can also be affected, the core function of processing non-immigrant and immigrant visas is often maintained to a degree, though delays in certain applications, like some L-1 visas, may still occur at the border (https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-2025-means-immigration-system/).

### How does a shutdown affect employers needing to hire foreign workers?

A significant, non-travel-related impact that affects future international travelers involves employment-based immigration processes tied to DHS. For employers utilizing temporary work visas, a shutdown causes immediate procedural bottlenecks (https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2025/10/impact-of-us-government-shutdown-on-immigration-and-consular-operations). Specifically, the **E-Verify system**—a critical tool for confirming employment eligibility when filing Labor Condition Applications (LCAs) for H-1B, H-1B1, and E-3 visas—is **suspended** (https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2025/10/impact-of-us-government-shutdown-on-immigration-and-consular-operations). Furthermore, employers must prepare for delays in the adjudication of PERM labor certifications, which are necessary precursors to filing for permanent residency (green cards) for sponsored employees.

### What agency-specific services cease or continue during a DHS shutdown?

DHS encompasses a wide range of agencies, and the continuity of service varies based on whether the agency is fee-funded or appropriation-funded. For travelers, the primary concern is security and inspection, which largely continues. However, services like the **National Flood Insurance Program** policies are paused during a shutdown (https://www.wmtw.com/article/will-travel-plans-be-impacted-by-looming-government-shutdown-dhs-officials-weigh-in/70324704). Conversely, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the Coast Guard generally maintain their core operational functions, though non-essential administrative tasks and specific enforcement actions may be curtailed due to furloughs.

### Key Takeaways and Future Outlook

Understanding the nuances of a DHS funding lapse is crucial for anyone involved in international logistics, hiring, or frequent travel.

* **Air Travel Continues, But Slower:** TSA will operate, but staffing shortages due to non-payment may lead to significantly longer security lines.
* **USCIS Remains Largely Operational:** Fee-funded services like processing adjustment of status applications will likely continue, providing some stability for existing green card processes.
* **Employment Timelines Stall:** The suspension of E-Verify freezes critical employment authorization steps necessary for many temporary work visas.
* **Documentation is Key:** Employers and individuals should maintain meticulous records of any hiring or application deadlines missed during the shutdown for future compliance efforts.

Looking ahead, repeated funding crises underscore systemic vulnerabilities in how essential border security and immigration infrastructure is maintained. While Congress typically ensures core travel functions do not completely halt, the repeated stress placed on federal employees impacts morale and operational efficiency long after funding is restored. The trend suggests an ongoing need for travelers and businesses to develop contingency plans for brief, unpredictable service degradations.

In conclusion, a DHS shutdown is less a complete closure of the border and more a significant system stress test that translates into inconvenience, delays, and procedural stagnation for the traveling public and the businesses that rely on skilled international talent. The core infrastructure remains active, but the reduced workforce capacity necessitates greater patience and preparedness from all international travelers navigating the system during these periods of political uncertainty.

## References

* https://www.wmtw.com/article/will-travel-plans-be-impacted-by-looming-government-shutdown-dhs-officials-weigh-in/70324704
* https://www.nerdwallet.com/travel/learn/how-a-government-shutdown-could-affect-travel
* https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5734644-heres-how-a-shutdown-will-affect-dhs-agencies/
* https://www.morganlewis.com/pubs/2025/10/impact-of-us-government-shutdown-on-immigration-and-consular-operations
* https://www.americanimmigrationcouncil.org/blog/what-government-shutdown-2025-means-immigration-system/