American Immigration Law Foundation Prepares to Sue INS Over Processing Delays
Posted Oct 27, 1999

The American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF), an outreach and advocacy organization working closely with the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA), is preparing to sue INS on behalf of those harmed by unconscionable delays in processing applications.

Currently, AILF is collecting information regarding potential plaintiffs to such litigation. Individuals, businesses and families who have been hurt by INS incompetence and inefficiency should step forward now! If your immigration attorney is a member of AILA, then he or she should have received the AILF litigation questionnaire. Have the attorney complete the questionnaire, providing details on your situation to AILF for possible inclusion in such a lawsuit. Unfortunately, sometimes, we have to resort to a lawsuit against the INS in order for our clients voices and concerns to be heard. This is your opportunity to stop complaining against INS inefficiency and participate in the lawsuit. Participation should not involve any legal fees for the plaintiffs. Clients of The Law Office of Sheela Murthy, P.C. who have been adversely affected by the delay, for example, showing missed opportunities, spouse suffering in professional or medical career, etc. and are willing to be named in a class action lawsuit, should send us an e-mail.

It appears that the lawsuit will be filed as a class action, lawsuit i.e. a large number of aggrieved persons banding together to sue on behalf of themselves and others who may be in a similar situation. The relief requested of the judge may include an order to the INS to process the cases promptly, or other forms of relief.

Often we find that threatening a lawsuit can in and of itself result in better service by the government agency which is sued. This is indeed a great nation with true democracy at work, where agencies of the federal government can and should be sued to benefit the individual aggrieved or a U.S. corporation whose employees are being forced to depart the U.S. because of governmental delays in processing cases within a reasonable amount of time.