American Tech Workers File Response Brief in Case Opposing Illegal Issuance of STEM-Related Work Aut

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April 6, 2015

Making Government put the American Worker before Big Business

April 6, 2015

(Washington, D.C.) – After getting the go-ahead to challenge a wage-crushing, STEM-related work program created by administrative fiat contrary to federal law, the Immigration Reform Law Institute (IRLI) has today filed in D.C. District Court a response brief (attached here) on behalf of their client, the Washington Alliance of Technology Workers (Washtech). The brief is in response to the government’s motion for summary judgment and relates to a similar motion previously made by IRLI which had argued that because the substantive and procedural violations of the government’s work visa program, known as Optional Practical Training, are so clearly borne out in the court record, further trial proceedings in the case would be a waste of judicial resources.

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 last November by President Barack Obama that expand dramatically the number of work visas and the terms or durations of those work visas. The case has already been a victory of sorts for the American worker because of the difficulty that private persons have traditionally had in challenging the jobs-displacing effects of the government’s mass immigration policies. IRLI’s legal fight is supported by co-counsel, John Miano, as well as fellow immigration enforcement advocates, Judicial Watch and Eagle Forum, who have filed friend-of-the-court briefs in the case in support of Washtech (attached here and here).

Dale L. Wilcox, IRLI’s Executive Director, commented, “Our brief filed today argues that the Optional Practical Training program, which gives work permits to foreign nationals who are no longer bona fide students, so clearly violates immigration and administrative law, the D.C. district court should grant summary judgment in favor of our client. It’s hoped our request is granted so American tech workers and American tech students can go on in their fields with the dignity and respect they deserve.” Wilcox continued, “We will continue the fight on behalf of the American worker and hold this administration accountable to the rule of law.”

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