Hi folks – here is the run down of today’s developments. For the better part of today, we have been in contact with a wide range of people – other groups, people on the Hill, reporters who would tell the story of this injustice – in hopes of seeking a solution that would avoid the need for immediate intervention by a judge. Given the short time frame between now and October 1st – mere hours – we have filed a motion for a temporary restraining order to prevent the government from rejecting applications based on the second released Visa Bulletin. We have also filed an amended complaint that has some new plaintiffs and additional legal arguments.
We have been in contact with the government about our case and will continue to do so. We remain hopeful for a quick and positive outcome.
We are now awaiting a hearing with the court. We hoped for today, but we now think it will be tomorrow morning. We know people are uncertain about whether to file tonight or not and can’t give you a perfect answer to that. We don’t know what is going to happen tomorrow when those first cases are received.
In the mean time, we remind everyone that a lawsuit is just one pressure point. Please work with the advocacy organizations in their campaigns to reach out to Congress and the Administration. Rallies, flower campaigns, calls and visits to your representatives are all critical. And let people in the media know why this is so important. Today, we started to see this happening with stories in Bloomberg BNA, the Associated Press and Law360. We know more stories will be running tomorrow in other media outlets.
A special thanks is in order for Congresswoman Zoe Lofgren and Congressman Mike Honda who both issued press releases noting our lawsuit and urging USCIS to restore stability in our immigration system by honoring the commitments made in the original Visa Bulletin.
Many, many lawyers have been contributing time to helping with this. The lawyers of ABIL – the Alliance of Business Immigration Lawyers – have been fantastic. They put together several teams to help us with declarations for today’s amended complaint. Folks at AILA and AIC have been giving us helpful feedback and advice. Diane Butler’s team at Lane Powell in Seattle jumped in to help at a moment’s notice. When we needed an organization to add as a plaintiff, the IMG Taskforce, an organization that I’ve been involved with for years that advocates on behalf of physician immigrants, stepped in and is our newest named plaintiff. Sheila Hahn of Memphis helped us quickly onboard a new named plaintiff in Seattle.
And many thanks to the thousands of you out there who have been helping to crowdsource this case. When I’ve asked for case examples, you’ve provided them in droves. When I needed some quick research on a question, I’ve gotten great replies. When I’ve needed people to talk to media, you’ve stepped up. Incredible! If we haven’t used you’ve provided just yet, don’t worry. Everything you’re sending is getting read and factored in to our thinking about the solution here.
Tomorrow we’ll have an update on the hearing. After dinner I’ll post the new complaint and the TRO request.