WASHINGTON, D.C. – The American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the law firm Benach Collopy, LLP, filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia today, challenging the Trump Administration’s abrupt implementation of new immigration forms without warning or a transition period. The changes, enacted by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), risk rejecting tens of thousands of properly filed applications, causing chaos for attorneys and applicants alike.
Sudden Policy Shift Sparks Legal Challenge
On March 3 and 4, USCIS unexpectedly replaced multiple immigration forms, requiring immediate use of the updated versions while removing the old ones. The agency provided no prior notice or grace period, leaving attorneys and applicants scrambling. Many applications—already prepared and mailed under the previous rules—now face rejection solely due to the sudden form changes.
AILA sought clarification and a grace period from USCIS but received no clear resolution, forcing the lawsuit. Jennifer Coberly, AILA’s Benefits Litigation Attorney, criticized the agency’s actions as “arbitrary and capricious,” stating that while USCIS hinted at case-by-case discretion, such an approach fails to address systemic violations of the Administrative Procedure Act (APA).
Widespread Disruption for Attorneys and Applicants
The abrupt shift has triggered confusion and financial strain. Rekha Sharma-Crawford, AILA Treasurer and partner at Sharma-Crawford Attorneys at Law, warned that rejected filings could delay or deny critical benefits, forcing applicants to resubmit identical applications—wasting time and taxpayer money.
Brian Green of the Law Office of Brian Green noted that attorneys are now rushing to refile applications, facing client frustration despite the government’s role in the upheaval.
Potential Harm to Vulnerable Immigrants
Sarah Pitney of Benach Collopy raised concerns about the human cost, including:
Applicants falling out of legal status during delays.
Children aging out of eligibility while reapplying.
LGBTQ+ individuals harmed by sudden gender marker changes on forms.
“This administration is deliberately making immigration harder,” Pitney said. “The lack of a grace period creates needless risk for vulnerable people.”
Legal Team and Next Steps
AILA and Benach Collopy are represented by Jennifer Coberly, Rekha Sharma-Crawford, Brian Green, and Jesse Bless of Bless Litigation. The lawsuit seeks to compel USCIS to adopt a fair transition process, arguing that the agency’s actions violate procedural safeguards under the APA.
As the case proceeds, thousands of immigrants and their attorneys await clarity—hoping to avoid costly rejections and prolonged uncertainty.
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