American Tech Workers Successfully Win Standing to Sue on Alleged Illegal Issuance of STEM-Related W

November 14, 2014

Implications for Obama’s immigration actions

November 21, 2014

(Washington, D.C.) – In a case that could have implications for President Obama’s “executive actions” on immigration, the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia has ruled that Washington Alliance of Technology Workers can challenge in court the legality of administrative extensions of work authorizations to non-immigrants increasing competition for American workers.

The case, Washington Alliance of Technology Workers v. USDHS (Civil Action No. 14-529), has major implications for the ability of American workers to judicially challenge certain elements of the actions taken yesterday and today by President Barack Obama that expand dramatically the number of work visas and the terms or durations of those work visas.

The case was brought by attorney John Miano and the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) on behalf of several displaced American workers. Dale Wilcox, Executive Director of IRLI, commented, “The Obama administration and its congressional allies have repeatedly stated that they believed the president’s executive memos were immune from judicial review in federal court. Today’s decision in the Washington Alliance case demonstrates that this is not true.” Wilcox continued, “We will continue the fight on behalf of the American worker and hold this administration accountable to the rule of law.”

The decision can be found here.