Kudos to Partner Kirsten Schlenger/More Calls for Class Action Plaintiffs
July 27, 2007
Weaver, Schlenger & Mazel applauds our managing partner, Kirsten Schlenger, for her tenacity and effective strategic planning on a national level during the Adjustment of Status debacle this last month. Kirsten has served as a Trustee of the Board of the American Immigration Law Foundation (AILF) for more than seven years. Her unceasing commitment and dedication to this non-profit organization derives from her passion for justice in the immigration system. Throughout the years, Kirsten has successfully helped AILF raise significant funds to maintain and expand AILF's critical work.
The first Chair of the AILF Trustees committee for its Legal Action Center, Kirsten remains an active committee member. In July, the committee vociferously challenged the government with the threat of filing a well-prepared class action lawsuit. This, along with other efforts nationally, resulted in victory for thousands of eligible foreign nationals: On July 15, 2007, the government reversed its July 2 announcements that it would refuse to accept any employment-based adjustment of status filings.
Our advocacy continues, this time on the U.S. Department of Labor front. We previously advised about the PERM rule's new prohibition against employees paying labor certification expenses, including attorneys' fees, which became effective July 16, 2007. We strongly encourage our client HR teams and employees to voice any concerns over this portion of the PERM rule directly to AILF. AILF is currently seeking plaintiffs for a potential class action lawsuit on this payment issue as unfairly affecting many foreign national employees. For more information about how you or your company can support AILF, or to learn more about this litigation and the incredible work of the Legal Action Committee go to www.AILF.org
