Public Policy & NGOs
Here's a look at documents from public policy and non-governmental organizations
Featured Stories
WildEarth Guardians: Lawsuit Prompts Court to Require Reconsideration of Livestock Grazing at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
SANTA FE, New Mexico, Dec. 19 -- WildEarth Guardians issued the following news release:
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Lawsuit Prompts Court to Require Reconsideration of Livestock Grazing at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Fish and Wildlife Service ordered to reconsider 'cattle grazing in general' at Refuge established to protect largest wetlands complex in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
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MISSOULA, Mont.-- A Montana federal court judge issued a ruling this week granting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's plan to reevaluate its determination justifying livestock grazing at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife
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SANTA FE, New Mexico, Dec. 19 -- WildEarth Guardians issued the following news release:
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Lawsuit Prompts Court to Require Reconsideration of Livestock Grazing at Red Rock Lakes National Wildlife Refuge
Fish and Wildlife Service ordered to reconsider 'cattle grazing in general' at Refuge established to protect largest wetlands complex in Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem
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MISSOULA, Mont.-- A Montana federal court judge issued a ruling this week granting the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's plan to reevaluate its determination justifying livestock grazing at Red Rock Lakes National WildlifeRefuge in Montana's Centennial Valley, to reconsider its grazing permit approach, and to reevaluate the environmental impacts of commercial cattle grazing at the Refuge. In response to a legal challenge from conservation organizations over the Service continuing to issue grazing permits that rely on a three-decades-old environmental analysis, the agency vows to collect new data and conduct new analyses, revisiting "cattle grazing in general on the Refuge."
"The Fish and Wildlife Service has a duty to manage Red Rock Lakes to protect and preserve wildlife and habitat, but for decades it allowed ranchers to graze cattle on public land with little oversight and no consideration of the harm that grazing has had on the Refuge's wildlife," said Chris Krupp, Public Lands Attorney with WildEarth Guardians. "It's unfortunate that it took a lawsuit from conservation organizations to get the Service to acknowledge that it's been derelict in its duty. Now the Service must honor its commitment to the court to reevaluate whether cattle belong on this wildlife refuge and remove them if they don't."
The Refuge was established by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1935 to protect the largest wetlands complex in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. It is home to grizzly bears, wolves, wolverines, sage grouse, and more than one hundred other species of birds. The Refuge contains one of the last remaining native populations of Arctic grayling in the contiguous U.S. Over the last decade, that population has declined from several thousand fish to just 73 fish in 2022.
At least as far back as 1994, the Service has recognized that livestock grazing poses a significant threat to the Refuge's abundant wildlife. The Centennial Valley is a critical corridor for grizzly bears as they continue their expansion outward from Yellowstone. Despite the risks posed to grizzlies and other wildlife by the presence of livestock and long-standing recognition of grazing's harmful impacts, the Service has continued to renew commercial grazing permits with little meaningful monitoring or analysis.
Represented by Advocates for the West, WildEarth Guardians and Western Watersheds Project sued the Fish and Wildlife Service in May 2024 for failing to ensure cattle grazing on the Refuge does no harm to wildlife. The Service admitted during court proceedings that it has never fully implemented the level of annual monitoring, analysis, and adjustments to livestock grazing set forth in its 1994 decision underpinning grazing permit authorizations. As a result, the agency moved to voluntarily revisit its livestock grazing plan for the Refuge.
"Fortunately, the Fish and Wildlife Service has recognized its failure," said Andrew Hursh, Staff Attorney with Advocates for the West, who is representing the conservation groups. "Unfortunately, it took our lawsuit to get the Service to do the right thing. If the agency thinks it's a good idea to let commercial ranchers run cattle on public lands in the National Wildlife Refuge System--which are set aside expressly for wildlife conservation--then their obligation under law is to adequately justify the need and environmental value of that activity, with accurate, up-to-date information, with scientific rigor, and with on-the-ground commitments to ensure conservation benefit. We'll continue to push the agency to live up to its legal obligations and its own stated promises."
While the Service's decision authorizing the issuance of grazing permits is not vacated as conservation groups sought, through a multi-part plan to address grazing-related concerns on the Refuge, the agency proposes to conduct long-neglected monitoring of existing grazing through new methods, improving the quality of available grazing data and information through the collection and analysis of new data. Further, the Service plans to perform a new environmental analysis and determination of whether livestock grazing is even compatible with the Refuge's purpose prior to the expiration of the current permits in two years, so that the permits may be modified or terminated.
"Despite National Wildlife Refuges being set aside solely for the protection of fish and wildlife, the Fish and Wildlife Service has allowed private, for-profit livestock producers to continually degrade the critically important habitats found across Red Rock Lakes," said Patrick Kelly, Montana & Washington Director with Western Watersheds Project. "The Service's repeated reauthorization of livestock grazing while failing to meet even the basic monitoring requirements necessary to prevent such damage is unacceptable. We will be keeping a close eye on the Service moving forward and will continue to monitor and document conditions on this ecologically unique Refuge."
National Wildlife Refuges, unlike National Forests and public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management, are not managed to favor extractive uses such as mining, logging and livestock grazing. Rather, the Service is required to manage National Wildlife Refuges for the conservation of fish, wildlife, and their habitats for the benefit of present and future generations of Americans. A commercial use, such as livestock grazing, may be permitted in some cases, but only after a formal determination that such a use is compatible with the mission of a refuge.
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Original text here: https://wildearthguardians.org/press-releases/lawsuit-prompts-court-to-require-reconsideration-of-livestock-grazing-at-red-rock-lakes-national-wildlife-refuge/
[Category: Environment]
National Parks Conservation Association: Parks Group Calls On Senators to Oppose Amendment Greenlighting the Sale of National Parks
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The National Parks Conservation Association issued the following news release:
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Parks Group Calls On Senators to Oppose Amendment Greenlighting the Sale of National Parks
Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who chairs the Senate's Energy and Natural Resource Committee, recently introduced a shocking new amendment that would pave the way for the Trump administration to sell our national parks to the highest bidder. And he's working to bring the amendment to a vote as soon as this week.
If passed, the amendment would strip language from an upcoming appropriations bill that states
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 -- The National Parks Conservation Association issued the following news release:
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Parks Group Calls On Senators to Oppose Amendment Greenlighting the Sale of National Parks
Senator Mike Lee of Utah, who chairs the Senate's Energy and Natural Resource Committee, recently introduced a shocking new amendment that would pave the way for the Trump administration to sell our national parks to the highest bidder. And he's working to bring the amendment to a vote as soon as this week.
If passed, the amendment would strip language from an upcoming appropriations bill that statesthe federal government must protect and maintain national parks as federal lands. If the Senate passes this dangerous amendment, it sends a green-light message to the White House that it's ok to sell off America's national park legacy. The future of our national parks is at risk, which is why the National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is calling on Senators to oppose Sen. Lee's amendment.
NPCA is also urging park advocates everywhere to call their Senators today and tell them to vote "no" on Lee Amendment #3972 and stop the national park sell-off. For more information and to connect with your Senators, visit npca.org/dial.
Statement by Theresa Pierno, President and CEO of the National Parks Conservation Association:
"A vote in favor of Senator Lee's amendment is a vote to sell America's national parks. And we won't stand for it.
"A vote in favor of this amendment is nothing short of a betrayal to the American people. National parks belong to all Americans. These places are cornerstones of American culture, creating shared experiences and lasting memories for hundreds of millions of people every year. They are our legacy. And they are not for sale.
"A vote in favor of this amendment would threaten local economies across the country. National parks are some of the country's best investments, driving billions of dollars into local economies and creating thousands of jobs. Nobody benefits if our national parks are gutted. Nobody asked for this. Nobody wants this.
"The future of our national parks hangs in the balance. Senators must stand up now, oppose Senator Lee's amendment, and vote to protect America's best idea."
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About the National Parks Conservation Association: Since 1919, the nonpartisan National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) has been the leading voice in safeguarding our national parks. NPCA and its more than 1.9 million members and supporters work together to protect and preserve our nation's most iconic and inspirational places for future generations. For more information, visit www.npca.org
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Original text here: https://www.npca.org/articles/11273-parks-group-calls-on-senators-to-oppose-amendment-greenlighting-the-sale-of
[Category: Environment]
Governor Hochul Repeals "100-Foot Rule," Accelerating New York's Clean Energy Future
NEW YORK, Dec. 19 [Category: Environment] -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release:
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Governor Hochul Repeals "100-Foot Rule," Accelerating New York's Clean Energy Future
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Today, Governor Kathy Hochul took decisive action for New York's climate, health, and economy by signing S.8417/A.888 into law to repeal the antiquated '100-foot rule.' The new law takes effect in 12 months and applies to residential buildings. This outdated policy forced existing gas customers to subsidize new gas hookups. Its repeal marks a critical victory for all New Yorkers, helping ensure:
... Show Full Article
NEW YORK, Dec. 19 [Category: Environment] -- The Environmental Defense Fund posted the following news release:
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Governor Hochul Repeals "100-Foot Rule," Accelerating New York's Clean Energy Future
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Today, Governor Kathy Hochul took decisive action for New York's climate, health, and economy by signing S.8417/A.888 into law to repeal the antiquated '100-foot rule.' The new law takes effect in 12 months and applies to residential buildings. This outdated policy forced existing gas customers to subsidize new gas hookups. Its repeal marks a critical victory for all New Yorkers, helping ensure:
* Gas ratepayers no longer bear the cost of unnecessary gas system expansion.
* Clean energy producers and consumers compete in a fair energy market.
* All New Yorkers benefit from cleaner air in a state advancing its climate goals.
"This is a pivotal step towards a cleaner, more affordable New York. The 100-foot rule was a relic, subsidizing fossil fuel expansion and obscuring the true costs of natural gas reliance. With buildings as the largest source of New York's greenhouse gas emissions, responsible for 31% of statewide emissions, ending this subsidy is essential to achieving the ambitious 'Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act' climate targets."
* Erin Murphy, Director & Senior Attorney, Clean Air & Energy Markets
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Original text here: https://www.edf.org/media/governor-hochul-repeals-100-foot-rule-accelerating-new-yorks-clean-energy-future
Center for a Humane Economy: Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Halt Ramming and Crushing Wolves, Other Wildlife With Motorized Vehicles on Federal Lands
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 [Category: Animals] -- The Center for a Humane Economy posted the following news release:
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Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Halt Ramming and Crushing Wolves, Other Wildlife with Motorized Vehicles on Federal Lands
Bipartisan coalition launches renewed effort to ban intentional use of snowmobiles and other vehicles to run down wolves, coyotes, and wildlife on federal lands
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In a bipartisan effort to curb extreme cruelty to wildlife on federal lands, Reps. Val Hoyle, D-Ore., Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., today introduced
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 [Category: Animals] -- The Center for a Humane Economy posted the following news release:
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Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Halt Ramming and Crushing Wolves, Other Wildlife with Motorized Vehicles on Federal Lands
Bipartisan coalition launches renewed effort to ban intentional use of snowmobiles and other vehicles to run down wolves, coyotes, and wildlife on federal lands
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In a bipartisan effort to curb extreme cruelty to wildlife on federal lands, Reps. Val Hoyle, D-Ore., Mike Lawler, R-N.Y., Debbie Dingell, D-Mich., and Brian Fitzpatrick, R-Pa., today introducedthe Snowmobiles Aren't Weapons (SAW) Act, legislation to prohibit the intentional use of snowmobiles and other motor vehicles to injure and kill wolves, coyotes, and other native animals on public lands across the United States. They did so as the House takes up H.R. 845, a bill by Reps. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., and Tom Tiffany, R-Wisc., to remove all federal protections for wolves, potentially opening up more "whacking" or "thumping" of wolves on federal lands outside of the Northern Rockies' states.
"Running animals down with motor vehicles is a grotesque form of cruelty that has no place in our society, including on our national forests and other federal lands," said Wayne Pacelle, president of Animal Wellness Action and the Center for a Humane Economy. "The SAW Act addresses a horrifying and unthinkable abuse--turning 500-pound vehicles into weapons to crush and kill wolves, coyotes, and other wildlife--and establishes a legal standard forbidding the practice."
Awareness of the barbaric and cruel practices of "whacking" or "thumping" came to light after a wolf torture incident committed by Wyoming trophy hunter and rancher Cody Roberts spurred international outrage and condemnation. He used a snowmobile to run over and capture an adolescent female wolf. Roberts publicly tormented the wolf before patrons at a bar, celebrated the abuse on social media, and shot the animal to death behind a bar in Daniel, Wyo.
The SAW Act would close a glaring gap in federal wildlife protections by clearly prohibiting the intentional use of ground-based motor vehicles as weapons against wildlife on lands managed by the U.S. Department of the Interior, including national parks, national wildlife refuges, Bureau of Land Management lands, and other federal areas where wildlife roam and Americans recreate.
"At a time when the House is taking up problematic legislation to remove federal protections for gray wolves from the Endangered Species Act, it's more important than ever to stand up for responsible stewardship of our public lands and wildlife," said Congresswoman Hoyle. "This bipartisan legislation shows we can work through thoughtful policy debates on conservation and wildlife management without condoning cruel and dangerous practices that threaten animals and public safety."
"Using motor vehicles as weapons against wildlife has no place on our federal lands. This legislation makes clear that intentionally harassing, hunting, or killing animals with motor vehicles is unacceptable and will be met with serious consequences. The SAW Act protects both public safety and wildlife while allowing for common-sense exceptions for self-defense," said Congressman Lawler.
BACKGROUND
Most states do not have laws explicitly prohibiting the running over animals with snowmobiles or other motorized vehicles. But Colorado, Minnesota, and Oregon do have such laws and they have been working well to discourage this sort of cruelty to wildlife. In the nearly four decades since its enactment, the Minnesota law has generated no objections from ranchers, farmers, sportsmen, or other stakeholders involved in wolf and coyote policy. "Minnesota has more wolves than any other state in the lower 48 and is a snowmobiling mecca, so the law's long-standing acceptance offers an important and practical example," said Pacelle.
While several states prohibit hunting wildlife "from motor vehicles," those statutes are vague and largely untested when it comes to "whacking," in which the vehicle itself is used as a weapon to chase, injure, incapacitate, and kill animals. In light of recent incidents in Wyoming and documented use of snowmobiles to pursue and kill predators in neighboring Montana and Idaho, the SAW Act would close this legal loophole and make clear that such acts of cruelty have no place on America's public lands.
Congress enacted the federal Airborne Hunting Act in 1971, after people took to the air to shot and kill wolves and polar bears from the air. These practices were rightly considered an affront to any notion of ethical or fair chase hunting - a concept that Teddy Roosevelt introduced in hunting in 1893 and that's become a norm in the sport. Rep. Dingell's late husband - the legendary John Dingell - was the last author of the Airborne Hunting Act.
So far, there are 254 groups that have endorsed the SAW Act. Full text of the SAW Act can be found here (https://hoyle.house.gov/imo/media/doc/saw_act_full_bill_text.pdf).
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Center for a Humane Economy is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) whose mission is to help animals by helping forge a more humane economic order. The first organization of its kind in the animal protection movement, the Center encourages businesses to honor their social responsibilities in a culture where consumers, investors, and other key stakeholders abhor cruelty and the degradation of the environment and embrace innovation as a means of eliminating both. The Center believes helping animals helps us all. Twitter: @TheHumaneCenter
Animal Wellness Action is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(4) whose mission is to help animals by promoting laws and regulations at federal, state and local levels that forbid cruelty to all animals. The group also works to enforce existing anti-cruelty and wildlife protection laws. Animal Wellness Action believes helping animals helps us all.
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Original text here: https://centerforahumaneeconomy.org/legislation-introduced-to-halt-crushing-wolves-other-wildlife-with-motorized-vehicles/
CCRKBA CHEERS 5TH CIRCUIT PANEL'S RULING IN GUN RIGHTS CASE
BELLEVUE, Washington, Dec. 19 [Category: Political] -- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms issued the following news release:
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CCRKBA CHEERS 5TH CIRCUIT PANEL'S RULING IN GUN RIGHTS CASE
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BELLEVUE, WA - The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is cheering the 2-1 ruling by a panel of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which overturned the gun law conviction of a Mississippi man who had earlier been placed on five years' probation for failing to pay child support. The case is known as U.S. v. Cockerham.
Edward Cockerham had pled guilty for
... Show Full Article
BELLEVUE, Washington, Dec. 19 [Category: Political] -- The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms issued the following news release:
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CCRKBA CHEERS 5TH CIRCUIT PANEL'S RULING IN GUN RIGHTS CASE
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BELLEVUE, WA - The Citizens Committee for the Right to Keep and Bear Arms is cheering the 2-1 ruling by a panel of the Fifth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals which overturned the gun law conviction of a Mississippi man who had earlier been placed on five years' probation for failing to pay child support. The case is known as U.S. v. Cockerham.
Edward Cockerham had pled guilty forfailing to pay child support, in violation of Mississippi law, which could have resulted in a five-year prison term. But Cockerham was sentenced to five years of probation, and he eventually repaid his child support and was released from probation. But federal law strips Second Amendment rights from anyone convicted of a crime for which the sentence could be more than one year behind bars.
As noted in the opinion authored by Judge James Ho, a Donald Trump appointee, "So there's no historical justification to disarm him at that moment never mind for the rest of his life."
Judge Ho was joined by Judge Cory Wilson, another Trump appointee, while Judge Stephen Higginson, a Barack Obama appointee, dissented.
"Aside from underscoring the importance of who serves as president to fill federal judicial vacancies," CCRKBA Chairman Alan Gottlieb observed, "the court's opinion in this case clearly defines common sense, and serves justice. Mr. Cockerham was not convicted of a violent felony. He didn't harm anyone. He didn't pay child support, and at the time of his arrest for having a gun under the seat of a car he was driving, he had squared his account and had actually been released from probation.
"Cockerham never spent a day behind bars for his original conviction," Gottlieb noted. "Yet, he was deprived of his rights as if he had committed some heinous crime. Being stripped of a fundamental right for non-payment of what amounts to a financial obligation is legal overreach in the extreme. We're delighted Judge Ho determined Cockerham's conviction violates the Second Amendment, and that the conviction is reversed and the case is remanded for further proceedings consistent with the opinion."
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Original text here: https://ccrkba.org/2025/12/19/ccrkba-cheers-5th-circuit-panels-ruling-in-gun-rights-case/
CAIR in the News, December 19, 2025
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR in the News, December 19, 2025
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CAIR: Islamic school's effort to expand draws anti-Muslim backlash - WBHM
This week the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) designated Tuberville as an Islamophobic individual. They cite his rhetoric that they compared to former Alabama Governor George Wallace' s. This is the first time CAIR has given a U.S. senator this designation.
Video: CAIR-MI Condemns Neo-Nazi Vandalism Targeting Jewish Center at MSU, Welcomes
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 [Category: Sociological] -- The Council on American-Islamic Relations posted the following news release:
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CAIR in the News, December 19, 2025
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CAIR: Islamic school's effort to expand draws anti-Muslim backlash - WBHM
This week the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) designated Tuberville as an Islamophobic individual. They cite his rhetoric that they compared to former Alabama Governor George Wallace' s. This is the first time CAIR has given a U.S. senator this designation.
Video: CAIR-MI Condemns Neo-Nazi Vandalism Targeting Jewish Center at MSU, WelcomesHate Crime Probe
CAIR-MI: Police investigating swastika painted on Jewish Center at MSU as hate crime - Lansing State Journal
The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations condemned the vandalism.
"Acts of neo-Nazi vandalism and antisemitic intimidation are an attack not only on the Jewish community, but on the values of safety, dignity, and pluralism that should exist on every college campus," said CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid. "We commend law enforcement for treating this incident with the seriousness it deserves and urge a swift and thorough investigation."
CAIR-MN: As immigration raids target Minnesota Somalis, bustling community hubs fall silent - Sahan Journal
Jaylani Hussein, executive director of the Minnesota chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, said at a Dec. 12 news conference that several Somali business owners had received calls with racist and Islamophoic slurs multiple times a day from unidentified callers. He said his organization would be reporting the calls to the FBI.
CAIR-MN: Minnesota organizations take legal action against ICE over recent crackdown - Bring Me The News
Free Speech For People and CAIR-Minnesota Ask Minnesota Officials to Open Criminal Investigations into Federal Agents
Council On American-Islamic Relations Labels U.S. Sanctions Against ICC Judges "Lawless Cover-Up Of Israel War Crimes" - Sahara Reporters
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Original text here: https://www.cair.com/press_releases/cair-in-the-news-december-19-2025/
Broad Coalition Seeks Emergency Court Action to Halt Trump-Vance Administration's Unlawful $100,000 H-1B Fee
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 [Category: Political] -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release:
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Broad Coalition Seeks Emergency Court Action to Halt Trump-Vance Administration's Unlawful $100,000 H-1B Fee
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New Filings Ask Court To Block "Innovation Ban" and Protect Employers Nationwide From Unreasonable and Arbitrary Costs
San Francisco, Calif. A broad coalition of schools and health care providers has submitted two legal filings in federal
... Show Full Article
WASHINGTON, Dec. 19 [Category: Political] -- Democracy Forward, an organization that says it advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy and public education and regulatory engagement, issued the following news release:
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Broad Coalition Seeks Emergency Court Action to Halt Trump-Vance Administration's Unlawful $100,000 H-1B Fee
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New Filings Ask Court To Block "Innovation Ban" and Protect Employers Nationwide From Unreasonable and Arbitrary Costs
San Francisco, Calif. A broad coalition of schools and health care providers has submitted two legal filings in federalcourt seeking immediate relief from the Trump-Vance administration's unlawful $100,000 H-1B fee an unprecedented and unauthorized cost that has already disrupted medical care, education, and local economies across the country.
In the filings, plaintiffs asked the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California to block enforcement of the $100,000 H-1B fee while the case proceeds, and certify a nationwide class of U.S. employers harmed by the fee, ensuring that relief applies broadly and uniformly.
The plaintiffs bringing the motion for a preliminary injunction are: BAE Industries, Nephrology Associates of the Carolinas, Lower Brule Day School, Global Village Academy Collaborative, Global Nurse Force, and an individual plaintiff who is a citizen of India residing in California. The plaintiffs bringing the class certification motion are: BAE Industries, Nephrology Associates of the Carolinas, and Lower Brule Day School. They are represented by Democracy Forward, Justice Action Center, South Asian American Justice Collaborative (SAAJCO), Kuck Baxter LLC, Joseph & Hall, P.C., IMMpact Litigation, and Cohen Milstein Sellers & Toll PLLC.
The Trump-Vance administration imposed the $100,000 fee through a September 19, 2025, presidential proclamation, bypassing Congress and upending decades of immigration law governing the H-1B program. The fee took effect just days after it was announced and applies to employers seeking to hire doctors, nurses, teachers, engineers, researchers, and other highly skilled professionals regardless of employer size, mission, or community impact.
The coalition filed suit in this case on October 3, 2025, and shortly after, the administration quietly issued new guidance walking back one of the policy's most extreme provisionssignaling that the fee may not apply to certain individuals already in the U.S. who are in the process of changing their immigration status. However, the unlawful $100,000 fee remains in effect in many circumstances, harming students, workers, and employers in the United States.
Plaintiffs' and co-counsel quotes on this matter can be found here.
The motion for preliminary injunction or immediate relief asks the court to pause enforcement of the fee, explaining that it exceeds the president's authority, violates the Administrative Procedure Act, and causes irreparable harm to employers and the communities they serve. The filing details how rural hospitals are unable to staff physicians, tribal schools cannot afford to hire teachers, and small businesses are losing long-time employees due to the sudden and extreme cost.
Plaintiffs in the case include medical practices serving rural and medically underserved communities, a tribal K-12 school, manufacturing companies, educational institutions, labor organizations, and individual workers whose careers and lives were disrupted overnight. Together, they illustrate the severe harm caused by the administration's attempt to rewrite immigration law by proclamation.
If allowed to proceed, the $100,000 fee will force employers to forgo essential talent, delay patient care, reduce educational access, and push innovation and jobs out of the U.S. The filings ask the court to block the fee, restore the lawful H-1B framework enacted by Congress, and protect employers and communities from further harm.
The case is Global Nurse Force et al. v. Trump et al., pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.
Read the motion for preliminary injunction here and the motion for class certification here.
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Democracy Forward Foundation is a national legal organization that advances democracy and social progress through litigation, policy, public education, and regulatory engagement. For more information, please visit www.democracyforward.org.
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Original text here: https://democracyforward.org/updates/broad-coalition-seeks-emergency-court-action-to-halt-trump-vance-administrations-unlawful-100000-h-1b-fee/
