The new date was requested by attorney Stephen C. Woodruff, who is representing the plaintiffs, and U.S. Department of Justice senior litigation counsel Theodore W. Atkinson.
CNMI umbrella permits expire on Nov. 27.
Asked for comment, Woodruff told Variety, “It is better that way,” particularly “for those who are foolishly waiting for the result of the lawsuit without taking any other action.”
Woodruff said the court’s rescheduling would not render the matter moot since federal authorities have been implementing the U.S. Department of Homeland Security-issued CW final rule since September.
“That’s bad news,” a nonresident said, referring to the new schedule.
“Most of us do not have parole in place yet. Many of us are still submitting petitions for a parole in place,” said the nonresident who declined to be identified.
Mel, another nonresident, told Variety that if he can’t find an employer, he will return to the Philippines.
The 62-year-old man said he worked as a maintenance carpenter at Hafa Adai Hotel from 1991 to 2010.
“I already submitted my application to extend my advance parole,” said Mel, adding he is still looking for an employer.
Nonresidents gathered outside the USCIS office in Garapan discussed sending letters to President Obama and other U.S. decision-makers. They said they may also ask their U.S. citizen children to write similar letters.
They also talked about linking with Filipino-American associations in different states as well as other advocates of immigration reforms.
“On behalf of themselves and all others similarly situated,” Gerardo De Guzman, Hector Sevilla, Carlito Marquez, Bonifacio Sagana, Eduardo Elenzano, Jong Ho Lee, and Manuel Vilaga have asked the federal court to declare the CW final rule as “unconstitutional.”
The plaintiffs are long-time guest workers and some have U.S. citizen children. They include small-scale business entrepreneurs and a U.S. citizen.
Named as defendants were U.S. Department of Homeland Secretary Janet Napolitano, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Director David Gulick, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Hilda Solis, and U.S. Department of Labor District Director Terrence Trotter.
