On February 4, 2015 the Senate held a vote to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) but the vote failed.  This was the second vote on DHS funding, which will run out on February 27, 2015.  Gridlock continues  with Senate Democrats demanding a “clean” bill without immigration-related measures and Republicans maintaining that they will not pass anything without the riders.  The question remains what will happen to USCIS functions after February 27^th if a funding bill is not passed, whether it can continue its functions using proceeds from filing fees.