United States – Nonessential Federal Employees Furloughed

The US Congress failed to pass a continuing resolution to appropriate funding for the federal government by an Oct. 1 deadline, prompting a furlough of nonessential employees. Despite the furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal employees, airport security, air traffic control, Amtrak, customs, law enforcement, and military personnel will continue to provide services and security for the time being. The federal government shutdown may result in some minor customs, visa processing, and transport delays, but impacts to security and travel will be negligible. Domestic and international travel networks that rely on federal employees will continue to operate during the shutdown. The Federal Aviation Administration will staff air traffic control towers, and the Transportation Security Administration will staff security checkpoints at airports. Amtrak will continue passenger rail service, and the State Department (DOS) is still processing foreign visa and passport applications. Federal services that rely on ticket and application fees, such as Amtrak trains and DOS passport and visa processing, may experience disruptions in the event of a prolonged shutdown that lasts several weeks. Federal law enforcement personnel, including US Customs and Border Protection officers, are deemed essential and will still provide security and customs services. Customs processing centers at airports, seaports, and land ports of entry will remain open with no related delays. Overseas US military facilities, embassies, and consulates will remain open as well.