FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 24, 2020
July 24, 2020
Contact:
Brittany Holder
202-297-7244
[email protected]
AFGE Says Move to Delay USCIS Furloughs is Positive Step But Calls for Permanent Solution
Categories:
Washington, D.C., DHS, Congress, AFGE National President, Coronavirus
AFGE President: “While this delay is a step in the right direction, more must be done to protect the jobs of these essential employees.”
WASHINGTON – Today’s announcement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services that it will postpone furloughing 13,400 employees beginning Aug. 3 is a positive step but does not erase the need for a permanent funding solution, the American Federation of Government Employees said.
The furlough delay – announced in an email to employees from USCIS leadership – was prompted by an improvement in the agency’s financial situation, which has been strained due to loss of revenue from the COVID-19 pandemic. The start date of the furloughs will now begin Aug. 31, barring Congressional action.
“While this delay is a step in the right direction, more must be done to protect the jobs of these essential employees,” AFGE National President Everett Kelley said. “We hope this delay will allow time for Congress to pass emergency funding legislation to prevent these furloughs from ever taking place. Congress and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration must address this issue once and for all so we do not find ourselves in this position again.”
AFGE represents about 14,500 employees at USCIS.
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