Greg SiskindAn update on Shumilina v. Jaddou, our case suing on behalf of Ukrainian parolees who are being denied automatic work authorization and being charged an illegal $410 fee by @[email protected] to wait 8+ months for a work card which Congress specifically said is not necessary. 1
@[email protected] The government filed ANOTHER extension request minutes ago with the government claiming they're engaged in good faith settlement negotiations with us. I can tell you that this is not the case. We have been in the same place with them for many weeks and they have not moved. 2
@[email protected] BTW, copying @[email protected] @[email protected] and @[email protected] here so they can add as necessary. 3
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] Here is the government's latest extension request. They have yet to file anything opposing what we alleged in our complaint. And it has been since July. We are being strung along. 4
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] Here is their latest extension request. https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:36cca239-25d7-3c29-82bb-6550831231c6
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@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] The government realizes they have messed up and they even say in the document that they are prepared to settle on the issues of automatic work authorization and charging no fee for those who choose to file an I-765 (that's not going to be needed, however, to start work). 6
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] The government's lawyer is correct in noting that we were amenable to a partial settlement to deal with these issues and focus on the fee refunds separately. This was told to us many weeks ago and we have been waiting. And waiting. And waiting. 7
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] Tonight they have told the judge that they are still working on it. We have yet to see a draft of anything. And we can presume if the judge grants, they will just be back in a couple of weeks asking for another extension. 8
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] As far as we are concerned, we are proceeding as if there is no settlement negotiation happening. We will be filing our opposition to the extension tonight and are hoping a judge puts an end to this and finally forces @[email protected] to fix the problem. 9
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] If USCIS wants, it can implement the fixes they've told us they agree to IMMEDIATELY & do not need to wait on us or the judge. They know they erred. Every day they wait to fix imposes more suffering. People need to work & Congress passed a law to allow it to be automatic. 10
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] Why is the agency intent on making suffering people suffer even more? Why does USCIS feel it has the power to continue defying Congress? They're questions I hope members of Congress ask the agency. It's a question reporters should be asking as well. 11
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] Enough is enough. Let Ukrainians work already. No one is benefiting and every day the government waits means even more money they're going to have to refund. 12
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] The fact that they still are charging the $410 is a scandal. Especially since they've indicated for months that they know they need to settle the case because the law is quite clear. Continuing to charge a fee they know is illegal is something they need to explain. 13
@[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] @[email protected] I'll end the thread by asking reporters to please cover this. This population is suffering and it should be getting more attention. Jesse, Chuck, Aaron and I are all available to talk. And please press the government for the answers they're not giving us or the judge. 14
Sorry to add one more item, but this is our response filed while I was tweeting over the last few minutes. Thanks @[email protected]
https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:9891d857-0f91-36c1-a55c-2756f0bdfd0c