Paterson Diocese Sues Federal Agencies Over Green Cards

The Catholic Diocese of Paterson, New Jersey, and five of its foreign-born priests have filed a lawsuit against the Department of State, Department of Homeland Security, and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services. This legal action, initiated in the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, challenges a procedural change made in March 2023 that has significantly extended the waiting period for religious workers to obtain green cards. The delay threatens the status of thousands of religious workers, potentially forcing them to leave the U.S. upon visa expiration. The plaintiffs argue that this change violates the Religious Freedom Restoration Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, and they seek to revert to the previous processing method or find alternative solutions. The lawsuit underscores the disruption and challenges faced by religious organizations dependent on foreign-born clergy. Advocacy groups continue to push for legislative and administrative solutions to the backlog issue.