Moneybookers and Donations

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To all of you wishing to donate via Moneybookers, we have set up an account for your donations.  Here is the link on our site: http://www.visarefusal.com/donations/ Thank you to all of you who have donated to the cause. I have tried to send a personal note to all of you who have.  While I am handling this pro bono, other legal support, travel, and court-related expenses costs money, so your assistance in defraying these costs is most welcomed.

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Attending the Court Hearing

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For those of you interested in attending the court hearing on Tuesday at 10 a.m., the court is located at 333 Constitution Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 2001.  This link has a map: http://www.dcd.uscourts.gov/dcd/location We of course welcome your attendance and support!  

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Co-Counsel

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I am happy to report that Michael Piston, an excellent immigration lawyer with 25 years of experience, has joined our team as co-counsel. Michael has been providing me with invaluable legal support throughout this effort, and I am very grateful that he will be able to join me at the hearing on Tuesday. Michael and I are focusing our efforts on preparing for the hearing, so there is no need to call with best wishes.  We feel your support over the miles.  Thank you.

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DV-2012 – Random Results

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Here is a nice short video explaining how the DV-2012 results were random: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ak0Xm82drhE

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Court Hearing Set

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A court hearing has been set for July 12 at 10 a.m. in Washington D.C. The court has combined the hearing on the injunction with a hearing on the merits, meaning, it will make a final decision on the entire case brought by the 36 plaintiffs.  If a decision is negative, the court will not go to the question of the entire class; if positive, the court would then review the question of the entire 22,000. Thank you for your support.    

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Office of Inspector General Update

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Many of you have been asking about the status of the OIG investigation.  We have been too.  Please see our latest letter to Mr. Geisel attached (oig june 30). It is abundantly clear that OIG has no interest in or desire to finish its investigation by July 15. Given the importance of this issue, I would ask that you disseminate this letter in the media of your home countries.  Please feel free to have reporters contact me to discuss. Thank you.  

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Press release: Filing of requests for preliminary injunction and class certification

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Please see the attached press release Thank you again for all of your support!

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Preliminary Injunction/Class Certification

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We have applied to the Court for a preliminary injunction and moved for certification of the class.  We will be posting a press release very soon providing more details.

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Litigation Update

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We will have some litigation news for you later this week. Please watch this space…

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Wall Street Journal

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Over the weekend there was a fantastic profile in the Wall Street Journal on Anna D., Stuart, Dieudonne, Alejandro, and Ugoo.  Please read it when you have an opportunity: http://online.wsj.com/public/page/news-lifestyle-arts-entertainment.html?mod=WSJ_topnav_lifeculture_main

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Resources

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As I understand an additional Facebook resource has opened in support of our cause: http://www.facebook.com/dvlottery?sk=wall This is in addition to http://www.facebook.com/dv2012 I am so grateful that we have such dedicated individuals applying their talents and energies to this enormous challenge we are facing.  Just the other day, a correspondent asked me – “How is it that you managed to find plaintiffs from more than 20 countries in only a couple of weeks?  That’s incredible.” I said: “It’s not difficult when you have the support of 22,000 people. Anything is possible.” And that is the truth.  Anything is possible. Thanks again for all of your help.  

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Press Release on Filing of Lawsuit

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Please see the attached press release on the filing of the lawsuit in Washington, D.C. Please forward this to media outlets in your home countries.  Thank you.

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Lawsuit Filed

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We have filed our lawsuit with the US District Court for the District of Columbia.  The case is Ilya Smirnov et al. v. Hillary Rodham Clinton et al.  There are 36 named plaintiffs from more than 20 countries. Government defendants include the Department of State, USCIS and senior government officials, including Mr. Donahue. The lawsuit is styled as a class action, meaning, if the court approves the request to certify, it will go forward as a class action, with the 22,000 victims making up the class. We will be posting more details in the next day or two. Thank you all once again for your encouragement and support!

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Lawsuit Update – June 17

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Please look for an announcement in this space on Sunday night (Pacific Time).  Thank you for your patience.

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