Organizations Win Lawsuit Challenging Unreasonable Delays Granting Citizenship

NWIRP and ACLU-WA Reach Settlement with Federal Government in Lawsuit Challenging Unreasonable Delays Granting Citizenship

Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP), the ACLU Foundation of Washington (ACLU-WA), and the law firms of Stoel Rives and Ropes and Gray have reached a preliminary settlement agreement with the federal government in a landmark class action lawsuit.

The case, Roshandel, et al. v. Chertoff, et al., challenges the Department of Homeland Security's unlawful delays in processing the applications for naturalization of hundreds of legal permanent residents in Western Washington. Under the preliminary settlement, the government has agreed to complete the citizenship process for hundreds of individuals in time for them to register to vote in the November general election.

"The government's failure to act fairly had left many people in limbo. Now they will be able to vote and participate fully in civic life," said Sarah Dunne, legal director of the ACLU of Washington.

"We are pleased that through this agreement, hundreds of lawful permanent residents will finally have their naturalization applications adjudicated, as the law requires," said Matt Adams, legal director of NWIRP.

To get the full story check out:

NWIRP Press Release - August 13, 2008
Seattle Times: Settlement likely in citizenship suit
Seattle P.I.: Settlement brings 350 immigrants close to citizenship

Posted in: ACLU Foundation of Washington (ACLU-WA),Northwest Immigrant Rights Project (NWIRP)