Temporary travel restrictions the Biden administration imposed in November on foreign travelers from South Africa and seven other countries in the region, due to the spread of the Omicron variant of COVID-19, were lifted on December 31, 2021.
USCIS announced that qualified healthcare workers who have pending employment authorization document renewal applications and EADs that will expire in 30 days or less or that have already expired, can request expedited processing of the EAD application.
The Departments of Homeland Security and Labor announced on December 20, 2021, the forthcoming publication of a joint temporary final rule to make available an additional 20,000 H-2B temporary nonagricultural worker visas for fiscal year 2022.
The DOS updated its Foreign Affairs Manual on intent to depart and residence abroad requirements for F-1 and M-1 students. The guidance may also be useful for J-1 exchange visitors and Afghan scholars.
The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on December 22, 2021, that withdrew the “Modification of Registration Requirement for Petitioners Seeking to File Cap-Subject H-1B Petitions” final rule, also known as the H-1B Selection Final Rule, issued January 8, 2021.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced the lifting of temporary restrictions that applied to non-essential travel by fully vaccinated travelers with proof of COVID-19 vaccination status entering via land ports and ferry service along the U.S. borders with Canada and Mexico.
After the Senate parliamentarian rejected a plan that included work permits and protection from deportation favored by Democrats for inclusion in the “social spending” budget reconciliation bill, lawmakers struggled to consider their options, including revisions to the immigration provisions or simply moving ahead without parliamentarian approval.
The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced an extension of the flexibility policy in complying with certain physical inspection requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services released fourth-quarter fiscal year 2021 reports offering a snapshot of statistics for the entire fiscal year.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is temporarily waiving the requirement that the civil surgeon sign Form I-693, Report of Medical Examination and Vaccination Record.
On December 7, 2021, E-Verify notified users via email that they can now view and complete several actions from a consolidated user profile screen, which “allows users to view all of their account information quickly and easily, without having to navigate to multiple pages.”
The desirability of lakeshore property is no secret. This desirability often creates conflicts between existing lakeshore owners who want to maintain the status quo by preventing development and developers looking to build and sell lake homes.
This article provides an update on the status of the CMS Vaccine Mandate, the litigation surrounding its implementation and CMS’s intent to begin enforcement on January 27, 2022.
Letters of Protest are not new to U.S. trademark practice; yet the Trademark Modernization Act of 2020 (TMA) provided statutory authority for and refined the existing procedure.
The final installment in our Vendor Contracts 101 series addresses a topic often overlooked when forging a new vendor relationship: ending that relationship.
The Internal Revenue Service has announced the 2022 cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) for retirement plans. Most limits have increased.
New homebuyers often discover imperfections in their newly-constructed homes. Some of these imperfections are construction defects and others are simply part of the construction process. Homeowners may assume they have warranty coverage against construction defects, but they have often signed documents disclaiming or limiting warranty coverage.
Banks and trademarks have an uneasy past. Historically, banks operated in geographic isolation from each other, so there was little need to differentiate services with strong marks.
As the area of NIL continues to evolve, it is important for student-athletes, parents, advisors and coaches to stay up-to-date on the most current changes to the rules, because there is nothing more important than preserving one’s eligibility.
On June 26, 2021, passing with bipartisan support, Minnesota’s Natural Gas Innovation Act (Special Session HF6, the Commerce and Energy Omnibus) was presented and signed into law by Governor Walz.
This next installment in our Vendor Contracts 101 series takes a closer look at how to plan for mergers and acquisitions when negotiating vendors contracts.
This article outlines practical steps for banks to take to protect themselves against check fraudsters.
Deficiency judgments are common occurrences in mortgage foreclosures and typically arise when the amount bid at sale is less than the amount due on the mortgage debt. It is rare, however, when the amount bid at sale exceeds the mortgage debt.
The anticipated amendment to the rules regarding outsourcing in Mexico was published on April 23, 2021. The decree amends several Mexican laws, including the Federal Labor Law, Social Security Law, National Workers’ Housing Fund Law, Tax Code, Income Tax Law and Value Added Tax Law.
At first glance, it would seem a commercial tenant’s failure to maintain the leased premises in violation of the lease’s terms would allow the landlord to recover the costs necessary to make the repairs.
This article addresses frequently asked questions and guidance regarding updates and other reforms to the SBA’s review process of PPP loans.
The business of operating a bank has long since expanded beyond serving customers and managing a balance sheet. These days, bank management spends considerable time overseeing and negotiating with key vendors – a dance that has only become more complicated in recent years. In this upcoming article series, we will provide insights regarding third-party risk management throughout the lifecycle of a bank’s relationships with its critical vendors.
Most lenders are familiar with creating and perfecting security interests in personal property. However, when lending to farmers, there are a few additional issues.
A recent Wisconsin Court of Appeals’ decision illustrates the importance of specificity when drafting restrictive covenants.
Of particular note for the energy industry, the Corps reissued and modified NWP 51 (land-based renewable energy generation facilities) and has split NWP 12 into separate permits.
A spokesperson for the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) announced that spring 2021 guidance related to the COVID-19 pandemic for international students in programs in “hybrid” or online modes will remain the same as before.
On January 8, 2021, a new rule was published by the Department of Homeland Security which significantly impacts the H-1B visa lottery process.
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement announced an additional 30-day extension to January 31, 2021, of flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Ninth Circuit ruled that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ denial of a visa for a computer programmer on the basis that it was not a “specialty occupation” was arbitrary and capricious, and the Circuit remanded the case.
The Cato Institute recommended 30 deregulatory actions for the Biden administration to consider, to “lessen the costs of America’s outdated immigration laws.”
The IRS has officially reversed its prior guidance and will allow a federal income tax deduction for expenses paid with a forgiven PPP loan.
Late December 21, 2020, Congress passed the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 containing additional COVID-19 relief for taxpayers and a provision that allows employers to amend their health and dependent care flexible spending account plans.
A U.S. district court vacated a memorandum issued by Chad Wolf, which made certain changes to the DACA program, and ordered DHS to reopen the program to new applications.
A U.S. district court vacated two interim final rules promulgated by DOL and DHS that made important changes to the H-1B program.
On December 2, 2020, the U.S. Senate passed its version of H.R. 1044, the "Fairness for High-Skilled Immigrants Act of 2020."
A DOS spokesperson said that no current visas would be revoked as a result of the policy changes.
USCIS announced updated guidance for adjudicating EB-2 and EB-3 Schedule A petitions for registered nurses, physical therapists and immigrants who have exceptional ability.
ABIL released a non-exhaustive list of 12 recommendations to reform business immigration in the early days of the Biden-Harris administration.
On November 23, 2020, President-elect Joe Biden nominated Alejandro Mayorkas to lead DHS.
DHS and ICE announced an extension until December 31, 2020, of flexibility in complying with requirements related to Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification, due to ongoing precautions related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The photo E-Verify transmitted should be identical to the photo that appears on an employee's DHS or DOS-issued document.
The update provides "a non-exhaustive list of positive and negative factors that may be relevant to whether an adjustment of status applicant warrants a favorable exercise of discretion."
In Anunciato v. Trump, more than 245 family, employment and diversity-based visa applicants and their U.S. sponsors sued the U.S. government in federal court.
President-elect Joe Biden has pledged in the first 100 days of his administration to set in motion a number of immigration-related actions.
Nonimmigrant students should continue to abide by SEVP guidance issued in March 2020, a SEVP spokesperson said.
