Paterson diocese drops visa lawsuit after reaching national deal

Paterson Diocese Withdraws Visa Lawsuit After National Agreement

The Diocese of Paterson has voluntarily dismissed its lawsuit against U.S. immigration agencies following an agreement expected to influence visa policies for foreign-born priests across the country. This development comes amid growing concerns about clergy shortages and prolonged delays in processing religious-worker visas.

Details of the Lawsuit

Attorneys representing the Diocese of Paterson in New Jersey filed a motion to dismiss the case against federal immigration bodies, indicating a resolution to the conflict regarding visas for foreign-born clergy. The lawsuit was originally filed on August 8, 2024, naming the United States Department of State, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), and the Department of Homeland Security as defendants.

Court Notice and Claims

In a notice submitted on October 31, 2025, to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, the plaintiffs requested dismissal of the case “to allow for Agency action and/or rule-making that will render moot the relief Plaintiffs sought from the Court.”

The original filing from 2024 alleged the agencies had enacted an “unlawful and unconstitutional alteration” in the method of calculating visa availability for religious workers, resulting in “profound immigration delays for non-citizen religious workers.”
Significance of the Agreement

Raymond Lahoud, the diocese's legal representative, noted that the agreement's effects are expected to extend beyond New Jersey, impacting visa policies for foreign-born priests nationwide.

Summary: The Diocese of Paterson's visa lawsuit withdrawal marks a significant step toward resolving national visa issues affecting foreign-born clergy, addressing delays and shortages in religious staffing.

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The Catholic Herald The Catholic Herald — 2025-11-05

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