(COLUMBUS, OHIO, 3/10/17) – The Columbus Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Columbus) announced today the filing of two federal lawsuits for eleven Muslim plaintiffs with extreme immigration application delays.
The first lawsuit, filed against US Attorney General Jeff Sessions and various officials from DHS and USCIS, was filed on behalf of a Libyan national who is a U.S. green card holder with a citizenship application pending since 2014.
The second suit was filed on behalf of ten Somali refugees who have been waiting for their green card applications to be adjudicated for almost three years.
“With the new Executive Orders that are being issued these Plaintiffs are living in a constant state of fear and uncertainty and it is now urgent that they have their applications adjudicated as soon as possible,” said Jennifer Nimer, Plaintiff’s attorney and CAIR-Columbus Executive Director. “It’s not fair to keep people living in legal limbo indefinitely, especially refugees who have already been thoroughly vetted and have been law-abiding citizens since coming to the U.S.”
The complaints, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, request the Court to order USCIS to immediately issue a decision on the pending applications and requests attorney fees and damages.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, encourage dialogue, protect civil liberties, empower American Muslims, and build coalitions that promote justice and mutual understanding.
CONTACT: CAIR-Columbus Director Jennifer Nimer, 614-451-3232 or email jnimer@cair.com, or Legal Director Romin Iqbal, 614-451-3232, riqbal@cair.com.