2025-26 U.S. Ice Dance News, Updates & Discussion - Backstreet Boys & Spice Girls

[Karen-W]

I don’t remember throwing out December as the deadline. Isn’t Jan 6 and the end of December just a matter of days?

I do remember mentioning this being a tight deadline which it is, especially not knowing when the government will reopen.

Also I can’t help but wonder if Z/K’s score boosts may have something to do with them now being eligible. Again, I will be the one to say I have no insider knowledge but just reading tea leaves which we all do to some extent here.

Also I like C/p and they have carried US ice dance quite a bit the last two years and I hope they get to go.

I realize this article is about a month old now, but...

What the government shutdown means for your passport plans

Travelers shouldn't be too worried about getting their passport in time, even during the government shutdown.

www.usatoday.com

"Consular operations domestically and abroad, including passport and visa services and assistance for American citizens abroad, will continue during a lapse in government funding," the State Department told USA TODAY in an emailed statement.

Passport processing times remain the same as before the shutdown: Applicants will wait an estimated four to six weeks for routine service and between two and three weeks if they pay $60 to expedite it (excluding mailing times).

And from this Newsweek article around the same time - https://www.newsweek.com/government-shutdown-passport-applications-10839735

Despite the widespread disruption caused by the shutdown, U.S. citizens applying for or renewing a passport are largely in the clear. The State Department’s Bureau of Consular Affairs/Passport Services is classified as essential. Because it is funded through passport fees rather than congressional appropriations, its operations will continue even while most government offices remain closed.

This means that passport services, both in the U.S. and overseas at embassies and consulates, should remain open. However, travelers are advised to plan ahead, as some delays in processing may occur due to reduced interagency support or staffing disruptions elsewhere in the government.

Those applying through the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) are also not expected to face any changes. The Postal Service is independently funded through sales of postage and other products, so it is not affected by the federal shutdown. Passport acceptance appointments at local post offices will continue without interruption.

I hope this puts an end to the misinformation being spouted in this thread that Carreira's passport application is going to be delayed due to the government shutdown.

 

[jlai]

I didn't say anything at all about the passport application in particular in my last post. Anyway, let's hope all that is sorted out anyway. I like them.

eta: we do all kinds of speculation in this thread for all sorts of reasons as long as we made it clear these are opinions

 

[Karen-W]

I didn't say anything at all about the passport application in particular in my last post. Anyway, let's hope all that is sorted out anyway. I like them.

eta: we do all kinds of speculation in this thread for all sorts of reasons as long as we made it clear these are opinions

I get it, I just wanted to clear up some of the misinformed speculation that others have been making about what is and isn't shut down right now. FWIW, USCIS is also considered an essential service and continues to process immigration/citizenship applications as well as hold naturalization ceremonies within pre-shutdown timeframes (easily Googled information). Plus, as I mentioned before, the USOPC has a liaison with the State Dept who can help facilitate some things if there are unexpected delays or rush requests.

Christina & Anthony themselves seemed very confident that all will be taken care of within a few weeks which matches up with what other, sourced posters have said they've heard regarding Christina's timeline - November 2025.

 

[ice coverage]

I found it reassuring that Carreira had good feelings about her own citizenship timeline, in the Tatjana Flade interview after Skate Canada. I look forward to hearing happy news from Christina.

As for possible effects of the shutdown on the naturalization process in general, an X post from the Director of USCIS on Oct 2 said:

"Public facing interactions such as interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and contact center responses may also be delayed. USCIS regrets any negative impacts caused to aliens and Americans seeking benefits from the agency but must ensure that it complies with the law."

https://x.com/USCISJoe/status/1973829618952974772

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I look forward to hearing how Alex spins the video when he’s being grilled by Christine Brennan at Nationals.

Alex and Maia might simply refuse to go to any press conference prior to the competition at Nationals (if there is one). And aren't only the top three teams invited to the press conference after the RD/FD? Because if they go to Nationals, I'm having serious doubts that the Shibs will even be in the top 4, let alone top 3.

 

[Tinycities]

I think the issue is that the USCIS also has holiday closures. If she’s using a visa agency for expediting that also has closures. The most safe time to have her passport by is mid December.

 

[Spikefan]

Just because federal workers are excepted and have to work doesn’t mean they aren’t calling out sick or requesting to be placed on furlough. It doesn’t just happen at ATC or TSA. The shutdown does cause a slowdown whether most feel it or not. So yes, the shutdown is concerning but hopefully things work out.

 

[jlai]

So yes, the shutdown is concerning but hopefully things work out.

Thx, this sums up what I was trying to say all along

 

[Karen-W]

Just because federal workers are excepted and have to work doesn’t mean they aren’t calling out sick or requesting to be placed on furlough. It doesn’t just happen at ATC or TSA. The shutdown does cause a slowdown whether most feel it or not. So yes, the shutdown is concerning but hopefully things work out.

The two articles I linked about the State Dept's passport/visa agency, and all of the information I've seen about USCIS, indicate those agencies are still fully funded (by application & processing fees rather than Congressional appropriations) which would mean that workers at those agencies would have no fears of not being paid and no valid reason to call out sick or be placed on furlough beyond usual employee attrition/seasonal staffing needs.

I'd love for someone to find some actual proof that there have been appreciable delays and slowdowns in these specific services beyond the Director of USCIS saying, back at the beginning of October, that there "may" be cancellations or delays in some services. At this point, all I'm reading is speculation that maybe it's happening and anecdotes from well-meaning posters of their own experiences several years ago.

As one of the many CarPon ubers around here, the needless speculation is stressful & aggravating to read, especially when a basic Google search produces no factual reporting of delays with the two agencies Christina is working with to complete her naturalization process and receive her passport.

 

[Spikefan]

The two articles I linked about the State Dept's passport/visa agency, and all of the information I've seen about USCIS, indicate those agencies are still fully funded (by application & processing fees rather than Congressional appropriations) which would mean that workers at those agencies would have no fears of not being paid and no valid reason to call out sick or be placed on furlough beyond usual employee attrition/seasonal staffing needs.

He added that for the duration of the shutdown, USCIS will focus on “reviewing cases with national security concerns, vetting immigration backlogs to ID threats, & referring all threats to ICE.” But he acknowledged that “this reprioritization may impact processing times.”

Public-facing services will also be affected. “Public facing interactions such as interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and contact center responses may also be delayed. USCIS regrets any negative impacts caused to aliens and Americans seeking benefits from the agency but must ensure that it complies with the law,” Eldow posted.

USCIS warns govt shutdown to delay visas, interviews and naturalization ceremonies - BusinessToday

USCIS Director Joseph B. Eldow, in a series of posts on X, confirmed that resources are being redirected to prioritize national security concerns

www.businesstoday.in

 

[Karen-W]

He added that for the duration of the shutdown, USCIS will focus on “reviewing cases with national security concerns, vetting immigration backlogs to ID threats, & referring all threats to ICE.” But he acknowledged that “this reprioritization may impact processing times.”

Public-facing services will also be affected. “Public facing interactions such as interviews, naturalization ceremonies, and contact center responses may also be delayed. USCIS regrets any negative impacts caused to aliens and Americans seeking benefits from the agency but must ensure that it complies with the law,” Eldow posted.

USCIS warns govt shutdown to delay visas, interviews and naturalization ceremonies - BusinessToday

USCIS Director Joseph B. Eldow, in a series of posts on X, confirmed that resources are being redirected to prioritize national security concerns

www.businesstoday.in

The line I have bolded is incorrect. I realize you're only quoting a news article but the reporter makes a statement that is NOT backed up within the quote they are using from the USCIS official who says "MAY also be delayed."

Again, this article was written at the beginning of the shutdown and the warning issued was that there MAY be delays. I asked if anyone has seen any more recent information or news that confirms there HAVE been delays to these services as a result of the shutdown.