WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – Immigrant advocacy groups have warned of the “grave impact” of the United States federal government shutdown on Caribbean and other immigrants.

The San Diego, California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) said it was “gravely concerned”, noting that “a shutdown of even a few days could delay asylum hearings, stall visa and work permit applications, and slow the already overwhelming immigration court backlog”.

HBA’s founder and executive director, Guerline Jozef, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) these disruptions will leave families in limbo, extend detention periods, and heighten uncertainty for Haitians and other vulnerable populations.

“Every shutdown ripples outward to those least able to withstand the consequences. Immigrants cannot afford more delayed access to justice, reunification with loved ones, or the protections they desperately need.. We call on leaders to prioritise the dignity and humanity of those caught in the middle,” Jozef added.

The US federal government shut down at midnight on Tuesday after the US Congress failed to reach a deal on funding.

The president and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Murad Awawdeh, said that court appearances for many Caribbean and other immigrants were rescheduled without notice.

He said immigration courts across the country have responded to the shutdown “inconsistently, creating chaos in New York courthouses.

“A government shutdown threatens the long-term provision of essential services and programmes for millions of children, veterans and families,” Awawdeh told CMC.

“Yet, the Trump administration has deemed ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) operations and deportation activities as ‘essential’—meaning its US$170 billion mass deportation and detention agenda will continue without interruption, even as hard-working families across the country are left without critical support.

“Immigrant communities will continue to live under the daily threat of raids, deportation, and detention, further destabilising communities. The federal government shutdown has thrown thousands of New York families into turmoil, as they attempt to navigate access to essential services and requirements to appear in immigration courts. This isn’t how a just and functional democracy for the people should work.”

Awaedeh said that the Trump administration has intentionally turned its back on all hard-working families by divesting from essential services, like health care and food programmes, in order to pour billions of dollars into ICE and CBP (US Customs and Border Protection agency).

“The federal government is choosing to prioritise the criminalisation and separation of families over the well-being of every child and family who calls this country home and truly make America great.”

Meanwhile, Caribbean-American Democratic leaders have blamed the President and the Republicans for the federal government shutdown.

“From the moment Donald Trump took office, he and his administration have been on a relentless crusade to make this nation less affordable, less equitable, and less like the America we love with all our hearts,” Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told CMC.

“This ongoing government shutdown is simply the culmination of those efforts so far. The American people are not fools,” added the representative for the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn.

“They see that Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and they know the responsibility to fund the government is on the majority’s shoulders. If Republicans cannot keep the government open without Democratic votes, they should have a meaningful dialogue with our leaders rather than insult them with crude, racist caricatures for applause on social media.”

Clarke, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), said it will not support any spending bill that strips healthcare from millions, slashes federal jobs, and drives up the cost of living for working families.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican Republic-American to serve in the US House of Representatives, also condemned the action by the Trump administration to freeze funding for New York City transit and infrastructure.

“The White House’s decision to threaten the Gateway Project and Second Avenue Subway, our nation’s most critical infrastructure projects, is another exhibit of the reckless partisanship and bad governance that triggered this Republican government shutdown,” said Espaillat.

On Fri, Oct 3, 2025 at 11:37 AM Vanassa Mckenzie <mckenziev.jol@gmail.com> wrote:
Immigrant advocacy groups warn of ‘grave impact’ of US government shutdown on immigrants

WASHINGTON, United States (CMC) – Immigrant advocacy groups have warned of the “grave impact” of the United States federal government shutdown on Caribbean and other immigrants.

The San Diego, California-based Haitian Bridge Alliance (HBA) said it was “gravely concerned”, noting that “a shutdown of even a few days could delay asylum hearings, stall visa and work permit applications, and slow the already overwhelming immigration court backlog”.

HBA’s founder and executive director, Guerline Jozef, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) these disruptions will leave families in limbo, extend detention periods, and heighten uncertainty for Haitians and other vulnerable populations.

“Every shutdown ripples outward to those least able to withstand the consequences. Immigrants cannot afford more delayed access to justice, reunification with loved ones, or the protections they desperately need.. We call on leaders to prioritise the dignity and humanity of those caught in the middle,” Jozef added.

The US federal government shut down at midnight on Tuesday after the US Congress failed to reach a deal on funding.

The president and chief executive officer of the New York Immigration Coalition (NYIC), Murad Awawdeh, said that court appearances for many Caribbean and other immigrants were rescheduled without notice.

He said immigration courts across the country have responded to the shutdown “inconsistently, creating chaos in New York courthouses.

“A government shutdown threatens the long-term provision of essential services and programmes for millions of children, veterans and families,” Awawdeh told CMC.

“Yet, the Trump administration has deemed ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency) operations and deportation activities as ‘essential’—meaning its US$170 billion mass deportation and detention agenda will continue without interruption, even as hard-working families across the country are left without critical support.

“Immigrant communities will continue to live under the daily threat of raids, deportation, and detention, further destabilising communities. The federal government shutdown has thrown thousands of New York families into turmoil, as they attempt to navigate access to essential services and requirements to appear in immigration courts. This isn’t how a just and functional democracy for the people should work.”

Awaedeh said that the Trump administration has intentionally turned its back on all hard-working families by divesting from essential services, like health care and food programmes, in order to pour billions of dollars into ICE and CBP (US Customs and Border Protection agency).

“The federal government is choosing to prioritise the criminalisation and separation of families over the well-being of every child and family who calls this country home and truly make America great.”

Meanwhile, Caribbean-American Democratic leaders have blamed the President and the Republicans for the federal government shutdown.

“From the moment Donald Trump took office, he and his administration have been on a relentless crusade to make this nation less affordable, less equitable, and less like the America we love with all our hearts,” Congresswoman Yvette D. Clarke, the daughter of Jamaican immigrants, told CMC.

“This ongoing government shutdown is simply the culmination of those efforts so far. The American people are not fools,” added the representative for the 9th Congressional District in Brooklyn.

“They see that Republicans control the House, the Senate, and the White House, and they know the responsibility to fund the government is on the majority’s shoulders. If Republicans cannot keep the government open without Democratic votes, they should have a meaningful dialogue with our leaders rather than insult them with crude, racist caricatures for applause on social media.”

Clarke, a member of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), said it will not support any spending bill that strips healthcare from millions, slashes federal jobs, and drives up the cost of living for working families.

Congressman Adriano Espaillat, the first Dominican Republic-American to serve in the US House of Representatives, also condemned the action by the Trump administration to freeze funding for New York City transit and infrastructure.

“The White House’s decision to threaten the Gateway Project and Second Avenue Subway, our nation’s most critical infrastructure projects, is another exhibit of the reckless partisanship and bad governance that triggered this Republican government shutdown,” said Espaillat.