The Diocese of Paterson, N.J., and several of its foreign-born priests are hoping proposed legislation will resolve their lawsuit regarding religious worker visas.

Their case highlights the perfect storm created by the nation’s shifting immigration policies and the U.S. Catholic Church’s increased reliance on international clergy amid a downturn in domestic vocations.

“Our thought for this case is if Congress would (act) … the issue about having the priests stay here and not leave would be moot,” said attorney Raymond Lahoud, who represents the plaintiffs in the case, filed last August against the Biden administration in the U.S. District Court in Newark, New Jersey.

Four of the priests listed in the suit — Father Regin Nico Dela Cruz Quintos, Father Joemin Kharlo Chong Parinas, Father

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