Jump to content
ellis-island

Tran v. Napolitano - Class Action Lawsuit against DHS & Ho Chi Minh City

 Share

28 posts in this topic

Recommended Posts

Filed: Timeline

The US Supreme Court did belatedly discover the “pursuit of happiness” when interpreting the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. In the 1923 case of Meyer v. Nebraska, there was a challenge to a state law prohibiting the teaching of foreign language to elementary and middle school children. Speaking for the court, Justice McReynolds stated that the liberty guaranteed by the 14th Amendment includes not only freedom from restraint, but also, the right to work, to raise a family and, “generally to enjoy those privileges long recognized as essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.

What greater manifestation of the "Orderly pursuit of happiness by free men" is there then the ability to marry and bring home your soul mate? That I have to ask permission, spend thousands of dollars and waste months of my life while someone whose salary I pay decides if I am worthy of happiness is a crime of the highest order.

P

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This is wonderful news for so many people on this site. I don't believe a day has gone by where I have not seen a story on this site of someone denied without explanation. It is very frustrating. Thank you for sharing. :thumbs:

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: K-1 Visa Country: Vietnam
Timeline

The petitioner being the US Citizen definitely has a right to due process, when their fiance is rejected and the petitioner is not told why other then a form letter with obscure reasoning, I call that a gross denial of due process. The cost associated with additional fees to overcome this rejection without cause can be extremely expensive which would fall under property.

The government never seizes any of this money from the petitioner. It is all paid by the petitioner's own volition. At any point in the process, the petitioner could choose not to pay a fee and there would be no penalty from the US government. Now, if a fine were being levied against the petitioner, and the petitioner was being forced to pay the fine without due process to appeal the sanction, then THAT would be a valid constitutional claim of denial of due process. Since all of the fees, both public and private, are paid by the petitioner voluntarily and without penalty if payment is not made, I don't see how it constitutes a claim that due process has been denied.

The US Supreme Court did belatedly discover the “pursuit of happiness” when interpreting the 14th Amendment to the Constitution. In the 1923 case of Meyer v. Nebraska, there was a challenge to a state law prohibiting the teaching of foreign language to elementary and middle school children. Speaking for the court, Justice McReynolds stated that the liberty guaranteed by the 14th Amendment includes not only freedom from restraint, but also, the right to work, to raise a family and, “generally to enjoy those privileges long recognized as essential to the orderly pursuit of happiness by free men.

What greater manifestation of the "Orderly pursuit of happiness by free men" is there then the ability to marry and bring home your soul mate? That I have to ask permission, spend thousands of dollars and waste months of my life while someone whose salary I pay decides if I am worthy of happiness is a crime of the highest order.

P

Thank you! That was a well researched response! :thumbs:

Justice McReynolds actually cited the right to marry as one of the examples of the rights that are protected by the 14th amendment. :yes:

The 14th amendment is probably not the best one to apply in the case of a denied petition, though. The 14th amendment merely extends the protections of the 5th amendment to laws enacted by the states. Since we're talking about the federal government here, the 5th amendment is a better fit. The terminology is nearly the same, though. No person shall be denied life, liberty, or property without due process. Since the right to marry was determined by the Supreme Court to be an essential liberty, then it follows that denial of that right would require due process.

But does it really apply in the case of a denied K visa petition? Is the petitioner being denied the right to marry? Is the petitioner being denied the right to live with his/her spouse? Is a K visa for a foreign fiancee an essential liberty, or is it merely a privilege which can be granted or revoked at the whim of the federal government? The law that governs the issuance of visas gives an awful lot of discretion to the government. The law would seem to consider the issuance of a visa to be a privilege and not a right.

Note, also, that the 5th amendment does not just apply to US citizens. It specifically says "No person", so the rights it conveys extend to everyone in matters of US law, including LPR's and visitors to the United States. If a US citizen has a right to have his fiancee join him in the United States, then LPR's and visitors to the US also have that right.

Feel free to jump in if you think I'm wrong about any of this. :blush:

12/15/2009 - K1 Visa Interview - APPROVED!

12/29/2009 - Married in Oakland, CA!

08/18/2010 - AOS Interview - APPROVED!

05/01/2013 - Removal of Conditions - APPROVED!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (pnd) Country: Thailand
Timeline

But does it really apply in the case of a denied K visa petition? Is the petitioner being denied the right to marry? Is the petitioner being denied the right to live with his/her spouse? Is a K visa for a foreign fiancee an essential liberty, or is it merely a privilege which can be granted or revoked at the whim of the federal government? The law that governs the issuance of visas gives an awful lot of discretion to the government. The law would seem to consider the issuance of a visa to be a privilege and not a right.

Note, also, that the 5th amendment does not just apply to US citizens. It specifically says "No person", so the rights it conveys extend to everyone in matters of US law, including LPR's and visitors to the United States. If a US citizen has a right to have his fiancee join him in the United States, then LPR's and visitors to the US also have that right.

Feel free to jump in if you think I'm wrong about any of this. :blush:

I was about to make the point regarding the "right" to pursue happiness through the marriage of a foreign citizen/resident. You beat me to the punch. This has always been discussed before with a general conclusion that it seems to be a privilege and not a guaranteed right.

Whether denials without full and open disclosure deny the right to due process pursuing happiness through marriage to a foreign citizen is going to be an interesting issue. I think Brent is definitely bypassing it as irrelevant and assuming it is guaranteed.

Good luck all.

Naturalization N-400

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Vietnam
Timeline

It would have been nice if the client was also in AP @ HCMC and he addressed that issue in the filing as well... free reign to take as long as they want and disregard the 4 month timeframe... or the 30 day DoS policy for that matter..

"Every one of us bears within himself the possibilty of all passions, all destinies of life in all its forms. Nothing human is foreign to us" - Edward G. Robinson.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: IR-1/CR-1 Visa Country: China
Timeline

I read the filing last night.

This is 'class action' suit, to change up policies on all Embassy IV Units, not just HCMC.

Cool ! Will watch for news at ilw.com , see if any news services pick it up as well.

Sometimes my language usage seems confusing - please feel free to 'read it twice', just in case !
Ya know, you can find the answer to your question with the advanced search tool, when using a PC? Ditch the handphone, come back later on a PC, and try again.

-=-=-=-=-=R E A D ! ! !=-=-=-=-=-

Whoa Nelly ! Want NVC Info? see http://www.visajourney.com/wiki/index.php/NVC_Process

Congratulations on your approval ! We All Applaud your accomplishment with Most Wonderful Kissies !

 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Vietnam
Timeline

so that is why Manila held our visa for 29 days, Hmm.... :(

huh? :blink:

"Every one of us bears within himself the possibilty of all passions, all destinies of life in all its forms. Nothing human is foreign to us" - Edward G. Robinson.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 2 months later...
Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Vietnam
Timeline

The most recent filing was a good read....

http://entrylaw.com/images/Tran_FAC_Filed.pdf

"Every one of us bears within himself the possibilty of all passions, all destinies of life in all its forms. Nothing human is foreign to us" - Edward G. Robinson.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

Si, man. Brent Renison is a potential hero.

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Filed: AOS (apr) Country: Vietnam
Timeline

Moving from K1 progress reports to Immigration news..

"Every one of us bears within himself the possibilty of all passions, all destinies of life in all its forms. Nothing human is foreign to us" - Edward G. Robinson.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 1 month later...
Filed: Citizen (apr) Country: Ecuador
Timeline

06-04-2007 = TSC stamps postal return-receipt for I-129f.

06-11-2007 = NOA1 date (unknown to me).

07-20-2007 = Phoned Immigration Officer; got WAC#; where's NOA1?

09-25-2007 = Touch (first-ever).

09-28-2007 = NOA1, 23 days after their 45-day promise to send it (grrrr).

10-20 & 11-14-2007 = Phoned ImmOffs; "still pending."

12-11-2007 = 180 days; file is "between workstations, may be early Jan."; touches 12/11 & 12/12.

12-18-2007 = Call; file is with Division 9 ofcr. (bckgrnd check); e-prompt to shake it; touch.

12-19-2007 = NOA2 by e-mail & web, dated 12-18-07 (187 days; 201 per VJ); in mail 12/24/07.

01-09-2008 = File from USCIS to NVC, 1-4-08; NVC creates file, 1/15/08; to consulate 1/16/08.

01-23-2008 = Consulate gets file; outdated Packet 4 mailed to fiancee 1/27/08; rec'd 3/3/08.

04-29-2008 = Fiancee's 4-min. consular interview, 8:30 a.m.; much evidence brought but not allowed to be presented (consul: "More proof! Second interview! Bring your fiance!").

05-05-2008 = Infuriating $12 call to non-English-speaking consulate appointment-setter.

05-06-2008 = Better $12 call to English-speaker; "joint" interview date 6/30/08 (my selection).

06-30-2008 = Stokes Interrogations w/Ecuadorian (not USC); "wait 2 weeks; we'll mail her."

07-2008 = Daily calls to DOS: "currently processing"; 8/05 = Phoned consulate, got Section Chief; wrote him.

08-07-08 = E-mail from consulate, promising to issue visa "as soon as we get her passport" (on 8/12, per DHL).

08-27-08 = Phoned consulate (they "couldn't find" our file); visa DHL'd 8/28; in hand 9/1; through POE on 10/9 with NO hassles(!).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

 
Didn't find the answer you were looking for? Ask our VJ Immigration Lawyers.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
- Back to Top -

Important Disclaimer: Please read carefully the Visajourney.com Terms of Service. If you do not agree to the Terms of Service you should not access or view any page (including this page) on VisaJourney.com. Answers and comments provided on Visajourney.com Forums are general information, and are not intended to substitute for informed professional medical, psychiatric, psychological, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. Visajourney.com does not endorse, and expressly disclaims liability for any product, manufacturer, distributor, service or service provider mentioned or any opinion expressed in answers or comments. VisaJourney.com does not condone immigration fraud in any way, shape or manner. VisaJourney.com recommends that if any member or user knows directly of someone involved in fraudulent or illegal activity, that they report such activity directly to the Department of Homeland Security, Immigration and Customs Enforcement. You can contact ICE via email at Immigration.Reply@dhs.gov or you can telephone ICE at 1-866-347-2423. All reported threads/posts containing reference to immigration fraud or illegal activities will be removed from this board. If you feel that you have found inappropriate content, please let us know by contacting us here with a url link to that content. Thank you.
×
×
  • Create New...