The huge drop in applications flowing into USCIS this year has created a shortfall and resulted in the organization requesting emergency of $1.2 billion. If the funding is not approved, the agency has threatened to furlough workers starting July 20. In addition to funding USCIS has proposed overall fee hikes of 10% including a hike of 22% for H-1B visas and a 77% jump for L-1 visas Blame for the decrease in applications in being placed on both the coronavirus as well as the Trump administration’s ongoing efforts to decrease both legal and illegal immigration.