What would be open and closed in Bay Area during federal government shutdown
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- President Trump issued a warning Wednesday of a possible government shutdown this weekend, and is blaming Democrats.
The last time the federal government shut down in October of 2013, things did not go well in the Marin Headlands.
Vandals painted graffiti on signs, roads and benches overlooking the bay.
That's because there was no one to patrol the area.
The shutdown put thousands of National Park Service employees on furlough.
President Trump is threatening another shutdown by December 8.
RELATED: Pres. Trump says government shutdown could happen Saturday
If it happens, these are just some places and services that could be affected in the Bay Area.
National Parks - Closed
The list of national parks that would close in the Bay Area is long.
Alcatraz Island (San Francisco)
Fort Point National Historic Site (San Francisco)
Golden Gate National Recreation Area (San Francisco)
Presidio of San Francisco (San Francisco)
San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park (San Francisco)
Muir Woods National Monument (Mill Valley)
Point Reyes National Seashore (Marin County)
Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historic Park (Richmond)
John Muir National Historic Site (Martinez)
Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site (Danville)
Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (Concord)
IRS - Partial Closure
This is a bit of a silver lining. The Internal Revenue Service would not do any tax audits during a government shutdown.
Unfortunately, IRS Assistance Centers would also close.
Passport - Likely Open
Passport offices should remain open if they generate enough fees to keep them operating.
The exception would be passport offices inside federal buildings that are forced to close.
Airports - Open
The shutdown should not affect aviation safety. During the last shutdown, more than 14,000 air traffic controllers were ordered to keep working without pay.
However, about 3,000 support personnel were furloughed.
Postal Service - Open
The U.S. Postal Service is an independent agency of the federal government.
Post offices would not be affected. Mail would continue to be delivered.
Federal Benefits - Open
The check will be in the mail. Checks for Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid would be paid.
New applications for benefits would not be processed until the shutdown ends.
Schools - Open
Public schools would remain open, but the Department of Education would cease many operations.
That would likely delay payment of student loans and grants.
Immigration Services - Partial Opening
Most employees of the Department of Homeland Security are considered essential and they would remain on the job.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is mostly self-funded, so it would continue operating during a shutdown.
Other programs like E-Verify, that checks whether an employee is authorized to work in the country, would be suspended.
Food Inspectors - Partial Opening
FDA inspectors who inspect seafood and dairy products would be furloughed, but USDA inspectors who inspect meat and poultry would likely continue working.
