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The federal government shut down at 12:01 a.m. on Oct. 1, 2025 after Congress failed to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) or full-year appropriations. Negotiations have not yet produced a deal; votes in the Senate have failed to end the impasse, so the shutdown continues into this week. 

About 750,000 federal employees are furloughed or working unpaid across agencies, which creates service disruptions that grow with time. Retroactive pay is guaranteed by law once funding is restored (Government Employee Fair Treatment Act). 

The shutdown will have direct and indirect impacts on travel and tourism. Even when “essential” travel functions keep operating, degraded capacity and uncertainty suppress demand and complicate operations across hotels, airlines, attractions, and DMO activities.

Miami International Airport (FAA, TSA, NTSB)

  • FAA: About 11,000 FAA employees are furloughed. ~13,000 air traffic controllers remain on the job without pay. Certification, inspections, and some modernization work will slow or pause, raising the risk of delays and operational bottlenecks, especially as a prolonged lapse strains staffing already running below ideal levels. 
  • TSA: Most of the ~61,000 TSA officers are “excepted” and work unpaid, which can lead to longer screening lines as fatigue and attrition pressures build the longer the lapse lasts.
  • NTSB: Safety investigations continue only for emergency-essential work; other activities are narrowed, which can slow the broader safety ecosystem.

Passports, visas, and consular services (State Department)

  • While many consular services are fee-funded, not all are. Consulates rely partly on appropriated funds for staffing, security, and certain administrative functions. As a result, while most visa appointments will proceed, delays and reductions in service capacity are possible, particularly if the shutdown is prolonged.
  • Visa interviews may take place as scheduled, but some posts may reduce appointment availability, reschedule cases, or lengthen wait times. Administrative processing or interagency clearances could also slow down.
  • Both domestic and overseas passport issuance should continue because they are largely fee-funded. However, processing could still be delayed if consular staff are furloughed or facilities are impacted.

Federal travel & per diem

  • Per diem rates remain in effect (set pre-shutdown; FY2025 update already issued), but many agencies restrict “non-essential” travel during a lapse, which depresses federal demand into major markets. (Use GSA rates for pricing, but expect fewer federal travelers until funding resumes.)

National parks & related sites (Everglades, Biscayne, Big Cypress, Dry Tortugas)

  • The National Park Service (NPS) contingency plan anticipates ~9,296 furloughs out of ~14,500 employees (~64% of staff). 
  • NPS and the Interior Department indicate parks will be generally accessible in open-air areas (roads/trails/memorials), but many facilities requiring staff are closed.
    • All areas that are usually gated or locked outside of business hours will remain locked. Law enforcement and wildfire prevention are still active.
    • Expect closed visitor centers, no routine trash/restroom service, no permits/tours, and limited ranger presence; some units or areas may close altogether where safe access can’t be maintained.
  • Florida / South Florida specifics: Local reporting shows Everglades and Biscayne are open with reduced services and closures at staffed facilities; advisories note most staff are furloughed and access can be curtailed. Conditions are fluid; travelers should check news or alerts the morning of travel.
    • Everglades National Park: The four visitor centers are closed.
    • Shark Valley: attraction is closed and tram tours are unavailable.
    • Flamingo Lodge: will remain open and its tours will run.
    • Big Cypress National Preserve: Off-Road Vehicle office is closed. Off-Road Vehicle trails are open only to guests that already have a vehicle permit.
    • Dry Tortugas: is open and the Yankee Ferry is operating as usual.

Immigration and employment eligibility (USCIS, E-Verify, Dept. of Labor)

  • The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is primarily fee-funded and will continue to accept and adjudicate most petitions and applications. Some processes depend on other agencies (such as security checks or labor certifications). These dependencies may result in slower adjudications, even though USCIS remains open.
  • E-Verify, the online system used by many employers to confirm employment eligibility, is not fee-funded and is suspended during a shutdown.
    • Employers must still complete Form I-9 for all new hires within required timelines. Employers enrolled in E-Verify will not be able to run new cases until the system is back online. Maintain detailed records of hires made during the shutdown and be prepared to enter E-Verify cases once the system is operational again.
    • In prior shutdowns, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) suspended deadlines for creating E-Verify cases and resolving Tentative Nonconfirmations (TNCs). Similar accommodations may be made, but employers should carefully document hires and be prepared to run cases once the system is restored.
  • The US Dept. of Labor Office of Foreign Labor Certification has suspended adjudication and acceptance of applications during the shutdown.
    • Labor Condition Applications (LCAs), PERM labor certification applications, and prevailing wage determinations are not being processed. This creates immediate delays for employers needing LCAs for H-1B, H-1B1, H2-B, and E-3 petitions and will prolong timelines for PERM labor certification adjudication.

What It Means For Miami-Dade Hotels and Partners

  • Macro demand: US Travel Association est. $1B/week loss to national travel economy.
  • Air travel: Potential longer TSA wait times and ATC-related delays as shutdown lengthens; consider flexibility for check-in/out policies for guests citing shutdown-related disruptions. 
  • Parks demand: Assume lower visitation and last-minute cancellations for national park-tied itineraries when facilities are closed or services curtailed.
  • International: Most passports/visas still process, but with longer timelines; concierge teams should advise guests to confirm appointment status and carry extra documentation. 
  • Employers: HR teams should plan around E-Verify and labor certification downtime. 
  • Group & government: Federal and federally-funded meetings may postpone; monitor attrition clauses and consider temporary flex policies to preserve future bookings. 

Shutdown Outlook

During the shutdown, agency “contingency plans” govern minimal operations. Congress can end a shutdown by passing either:

  1. Continuing Resolution (CR) that temporarily funds agencies at existing levels
  2. Full-year appropriations (12 bills) that fully fund the government through FY2026.

Near-term scenarios we’re watching:

  • Short CR breakthrough (days): Would quickly restore operations; back pay flows; travel demand and park operations normalize over 1–2 weeks. 
  • Prolonged standoff (weeks): Growing airport delays, staffing strain, and park closures; compounding cancellations in federal/group segments.

Our Suggestions and Recommendations

1. Communicate proactively with guests

Add a concise shutdown advisory to confirmation emails and concierge scripts: airport delays possible; check NPS alerts day-of; bring extra water/restroom plans for outdoor sites with limited services. 

2. Offer flexible policies for shutdown-related disruptions

Time-bound waiver or rebook options for guests with ATC/TSA delays or park-dependent itineraries to protect long-term loyalty. (Industry best practice aligned with prior shutdown guidance and current media outlooks)

3. Rebalance sales mix

Emphasize leisure and in-state/regional drive markets while federal travel and some group segments are soft.

4. Monitor local park/unit alerts

Everglades/Biscayne/Big Cypress/Dry Tortugas pages and NPS “Active Alerts” page update frequently during a lapse; conditions can change by day. Share key updates with front desk/concierge daily.

Key Facts & Figures

  • Shutdown start: 12:01 a.m., Oct. 1, 2025 (continuing). 
  • NPS staffing: ~9,296 furloughs out of ~14,500; many staffed facilities closed; open-air access varies. 
  • Air travel ops: ~13,000 controllers and ~61,000 TSA staff working without pay; prolonged lapse risks longer lines/flight delays. 
  • Economic drag (national): ~$1B/week travel-economy loss estimate (U.S. Travel/Tourism Economics). 
  • Historical park impact: 7.9M fewer visits, $414M lost gateway spending in 16 days (2013).

We’ll Keep You Updated

  • We are in active contact with the Florida delegation urging a rapid CR to stabilize travel. Members should share impact stories (cancellations, staffing hits, event postponements) with us to bolster the case; we can transmit anonymized data to congressional offices.
  • We will issue succinct updates as conditions change (especially for MIA airport operations and South Florida park status). If your property sees unusual cancellation patterns or shutdown-related service issues, please email those datapoints so we can escalate with policymakers.

For more info contact Armando Ibarra, Government Affairs (armando@advocacyinsights.com).

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