Are the passport offices still open to receive applications/process passports since they are a fee-for-service operation?
According to the House Foreign Affairs committee, State Consular functions, both domestically and abroad, are funded by fees-for-service so they will not be immediately impacted by a government work stoppage. However, some passport offices are located in federal buildings that may be forced to shut down during a work stoppage, impacting service.
How does shutdown affect our customs and border patrol? Airport screeners? Air Traffic Controllers? What would happen to U.S. Border Patrol agents at the U.S.-Mexican border?
It is the understanding of the House Committee on Homeland Security that CBP agents and TSA screeners would be deemed essential personnel and that they would continue to be operational. DHS has not yet provided the Committee specific information on these issues. Though not indicative of future shutdown activities, border and coastal protection and surveillance and the continuance of air traffic control and other transportation safety functions and the protection of transport property was an excepted activity in FY 1996. In FY 1996 cancellation of the hiring of 400 Border Patrol agents occurred during the shutdown according to the report.
How is TSA affected?
It is the understanding of the committee that TSA screeners are exempt from the shutdown, due to their security functions. Therefore, TSA does not expect an increase in wait times at airport screening checkpoints. TSA would be impacted at the headquarters level.
Will there be disruptions in the aviation system? Would air traffic controllers be affected?
According to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Air Traffic Controllers would continue operating as normal. Almost all ATCs air traffic controllers are considered essential/exempt.
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