Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts Joins Nationwide Lawsuit Challenging Discriminatory Immigration Policies

The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island by several community and labor organizations, including Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island, Refugee Dream Center, Service Employees International Union (SEIU), United Auto Workers (UAW), African Communities Together (ACT), Partnership for the Advancement of New Americans (PANA), American Gateways, and the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts (VAM).

The legal action challenges new federal policies that, in practice, have brought key parts of the U.S. legal immigration system to a standstill. These measures include the nationwide suspension of decisions on asylum applications, the freezing of immigration benefits for individuals from certain countries, the broad review of previously approved benefits, and guidelines allowing an applicant’s country of origin to be considered a negative factor in immigration decisions.

According to the coalition, these measures have left millions of people in legal limbo, preventing asylum seekers from receiving protection, blocking the renewal of work permits, and putting previously granted immigration statuses at risk.

“The immigrant community cannot be subjected to discriminatory treatment based on country of origin,” the coalition stated in the lawsuit. “These policies undermine fundamental principles of justice, due process, and fairness established under U.S. law.”

For the Venezuelan Association of Massachusetts, the lawsuit also reflects the growing concern of many immigrant families who are now facing uncertainty about their immigration status and their ability to work and support their families.

“The Venezuelan community and other immigrant communities make profound contributions to the social, economic, and cultural fabric of this country,” VAM stated. “It is essential that the immigration system operate in accordance with the law, ensuring fair processes and access to the benefits established by Congress.”

The lawsuit alleges that USCIS policies violate the Administrative Procedure Act, the Immigration and Nationality Act, and constitutional provisions by indefinitely suspending immigration processes and discriminating against applicants based on nationality.

The plaintiff organizations are legally represented by Democracy Forward, Lawyers’ Committee for Rhode Island, RAICES, Muslim Advocates, and the South Asian American Justice Collaborative.

The case is titled Dorcas International Institute of Rhode Island et al. v. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services et al.