At the heart of the ongoing geopolitical tensions between Russia and the European Union, lies Latvia – a small Eastern European nation which has become the epicentre of a burgeoning legal issue. Controversial amendments to Latvia’s Immigration Law, implemented on September 24, 2022, have generated both local and global scrutiny. At the crux of this…
September 2023 marked another important period of updates to immigration and global mobility law, as detailed by Ius Laboris in Immigration and Global Mobility Update No. 32. The comprehensive report provided key insights on recent changes to law, policies and procedures from legal experts stationed all around the globe. A typical issue of these updates,…
In today’s increasingly globalized business world, effective and compliant corporate immigration programs have become a necessity for companies building diverse and knowledgeable teams. Mitratech Holdings, Inc offers insight into this complex area, hosting a webinar on the subject titled “Crafting Success: The Pillars of a Compliant Corporate Immigration Program”. Slated for September 21st at 1:00…
Starting on October 26, 2023, United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will revert the automatic extension period for certain renewal applicants of the Employment Authorization Document (EAD) from up to 540 days to its former 180-day duration. This change is a reversal of the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) rule issued on May 4,…
A new federal lawsuit has been filed against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), alleging it has violated the Administrative Procedure Act (APA), 5 U.S.C. § 702. The claimants assert that the DHS exceeded its authority and inappropriately judged a group of visa applicants as “inadmissible” without fully evaluating all pertinent evidence. The case,…
In the complex world of immigration laws, corporations often find themselves caught in a delicate balancing act. On one hand, they are mandated to ensure legal employment following national immigration laws. On the other, they have to ensure they don’t violate the unfair immigration-related employment practices statute, a law designed to protect job seekers from…
In an ongoing effort to keep abreast of global immigration issues and ever-evolving COVID-19-related restrictions, legal professionals are recommended to Seyfarth Shaw LLP’s September 2023 Global Immigration Alert. It’s an essential read for those managing global mobility queries. This current alert highlights both the all-encompassing global limitations and closures as they stand in September 2023,…
The ongoing pressure on economies due to inflation is making inroads into unexpected areas, none less so than the sphere of immigration compliance. A development that could have substantial implications for corporations and legal entities with international operations is the potential increased influence of inflation on I-9 fines. Adding another dimension to the complexities of…
The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new Form I-9 for employers, which aims to simplify the process of confirming employment eligibility. In addition to launching the new form, USCIS has also issued a new alternative procedure that will allow some employers to inspect employees’ Form I-9 documentation virtually. This development is…
The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed the mandatory use of a new Form I-9 starting from November 1, 2023. The Form I-9, officially known as Employment Eligibility Verification, is notably used by U.S. employers to verify the identity and employment authorization of individuals hired for employment in the United States. The application…
On August 24, 2023, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) launched a significant legal action against Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (often known as SpaceX) over accusations of employment discrimination. The DOJ presented a complaint claiming that the company violated principles of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA) regarding citizenship-based discrimination in employment. According to the…
On August 3, 2023, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) initiated a transition in the process pertaining to L-1 blanket petitions. Until this date, the endorsed Form I-129S was utilized in proceedings. However, USCIS has now replaced this with an I-129S approval notice that will function as the endorsement. The move is anticipated to streamline…
A federal judge in New Jersey has recently struck down AB 5207, a law that banned the detention of individuals for violating civil immigration laws, ruling it as unconstitutional. U.S. District Judge Robert Kirsch held that the law, when applied to private prison operators, is a violation of the Supremacy Clause of the U.S. Constitution….
In a significant revision of their citizenship procedure, the Biden Administration announced that they will be modifying the US Citizenship test, a requisite for green card holders seeking naturalization. The old format of the test, which required candidates to demonstrate proficiency in English and pass a civics test, was established in 2008. The newly proposed…
There is an impending shift for employers, pertaining to Form I-9 document handling and verification. As per new guidelines, there is a requirement for inspecting identity and employment eligibility documents once again even if they were initially verified remotely. The deadline for this process is August 30, 2023. This mandate applies specifically to employers who…
A recent update in the H-1B lottery system has become a subject of concern for many professionals and companies worldwide. As reported by Jackson Lewis P.C on JD Supra, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) have started issuing challenges, and in several cases, denials to some H-1B petitions. This new development is based…
As social media continues to gain greater significance in various sectors, legal professionals are increasingly turning their attention towards the emergence of ‘lawfluencers’. Many of these internet personalities offer legal advice on platforms like Twitter, Instagram, and TikTok. However, new research published in the Georgetown Journal of Legal Ethics suggests that the content provided by…
In a globalized and interconnected world, navigating the complex landscape of immigration can be a daunting task for individuals and corporations alike. Every step of the process, from visa applications to citizenship proceedings, demands meticulous planning, organization, and the right legal expertise. Hence, the proper case management becomes critical, not just as a strategic approach,…
Alexandra LaCombe recently joined the ranks of Fisher Phillips, a leading labor and employment law firm in the United States, as a partner in their Detroit office. This was announced by the firm through a recent statement. Graduated from prestigious law schools, Ms. LaCombe brings her strong background in corporate US immigration, especially in areas…
The September Visa Bulletin provides critical data for employers seeking clarification on immigration matters pertaining to their international employees. Released monthly by federal immigration authorities, this bulletin provides timelines informing immigrant visa applicants on when they can expect notifications to assemble and submit required documentation to respective government departments. According to a recent article on…
SpaceX, the private rocket manufacturer led by tech wunderkind Elon Musk, has recently found itself embroiled in legal difficulties with the Justice Department. The crux of the issue? SpaceX has allegedly violated federal immigration law, prioritizing export control compliance at the expense of antidiscrimination measures. On August 24, the DOJ filed an administrative lawsuit, contending…
Following their work in assisting a client secure host-city status for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, lawyers at Morgan Lewis & Bockius have formed a designated team aimed at aiding clients who wish to be involved in the first ever three-country FIFA World Cup, negotiating the multifaceted cross-jurisdictional challenges they will likely encounter. The team…
Legal tech and publishing veteran Steve Errick, previously the chief operating officer at Fastcase and head of the Legal Research Information Division at LexisNexis, has recently taken up a new role with the American Arbitration Association (AAA) as senior vice president and chief development officer. In his new role, Errick will guide various strategic initiatives,…
Upon the launch of Canada’s novel Tech Talent Strategy, the pressing demand led to the commencement of its first program to close in less than 48 hours, prompting speculation over the potential impact on U.S. tech firms in terms of talent loss. The Tech Talent Strategy, introduced by Canada in June, comprises four initiatives aimed…
In recent times, there appears to be a trend among Republican-appointed judges to distinguish themselves with ostensibly unconventional behavior. Former President Donald Trump’s appointee, U.S. Circuit Judge James Ho, demonstrates this trend clearly in his latest court proceedings. This news from Reuters reports his stark deviation from his peers’ views when he was the lone…