The COVID-19 pandemic has caused substantial uncertainty for businesses. As of March 24, 2020, the President has declared an emergency under the Stafford Act and the Minnesota Governor has declared a peacetime emergency.
On March 24, 2020, Mexico’s Ministry of Health published a decree with additional actions to combat COVID-19. Some of these measures will affect employment centers.
Our Employment & Labor Group's “COVID-19 Employment Question of the Day” features questions taken from their day-to-day conversations with (collectively) hundreds of employers in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota and around the country.
On March 16, 2020, the Department of Commerce, Energy Environmental Review and Analysis issued its Recommendations on Review of Solar and Wind Decommissioning Plans.
In addition, the Governor has asked holders of residential mortgages to refrain from foreclosing and charging late fees during the COVID-19 emergency, although these requests are non-binding at this time.
Throughout this time, it is important for employers to be mindful of the continued employment verification requirements that have not been relaxed by the federal government. These FAQs were created to guide employers further in this matter.
The Minnesota Department of Revenue, recognizing that several of the businesses subject to MinnesotaCare Tax have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, announced certain relief measures for businesses who were unable to properly file returns by March 16, 2020.
There have been at least two seizures of counterfeit COVID-19 test kits by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at U.S. airports.
COVID-19 has had innumerable impacts on our daily lives. In response, the IRS and certain local states have provided guidance for taxpayers whose federal income tax returns are due on April 15.
On March 18, 2020, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act became federal law. The Act’s employment provisions apply to all government employers and private employers with fewer than 500 employees.
In these uncertain times, questions swirl among community bankers about the best way to support their customers and communities through our current public health crisis while still looking out for their employees and shareholders.
Responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued Emergency Executive Order 20-04 on March 16, 2020.
In all of the myriad of situations posed by the coronavirus, there are a number of key areas for consideration and a number of important measures employers can implement to meet the challenges from a business, employee, customer relations and legal perspective.
On Friday, in response to the outbreak of COVID-19, the SEC issued an Order providing a temporary exemption from certain requirements of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940.
- USCIS issued a reminder that the initial H-1B registration period runs from March 1 through noon Eastern time on March 20, 2020.
- USCIS has received enough petitions to meet the congressionally mandated H-2B cap on foreign workers in temporary nonagricultural jobs for the second half of FY 2020.
The Department of State's Visa Bulletin for March 2020 announced several notable developments including EB-3 and EB "Other Workers" changes.
USCIS implemented the public charge rule nationwide on February 24, 2020, following a Supreme Court ruling staying a preliminary injunction in Illinois.
- USCIS will not use pre-paid mailers to send any communications or final notices for fiscal year 2021 cap-subject H-1B petitions, including those requesting consideration under the advanced-degree exemption.
- According to reports from the field, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased audits of employers who hire STEM OPT students.
DHS informed the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles on February 5, 2020, that New York residents are no longer eligible to apply for or renew their enrollment in Trusted Traveler Programs.
A U.S. District Judge issued a decision on February 6, 2020, permanently enjoining the Trump administration's change in "unlawful presence" policy set forth in a USCIS memorandum.
- Minnesotans often have questions about their legal rights and responsibilities in dealing with water and the damage it can cause their homes and other real property.
Initial answers to employers' COVID-19 related questions from Fredrikson & Byron's Immigration Group.
There is concern that the HDHP deductible may be a barrier to participants seeking or receiving adequate testing and treatment for COVID-19.
With the novel coronavirus presence in the U.S., hospital counsel will be approached with questions and issues raised by patients, management and staff regarding the health system’s response to this public health concern.
Part 1 of this article reviewed overlooked information technology and intellectual property provisions in bank vendor agreements. Part 2 focuses on the “big cheese” of any bank contract – confidentiality and data security.
- When considering buying a bank, there are several important assets and liabilities to investigate. An often overlooked asset of a bank is its real estate. This article provides a list of key due diligence items to review when acquiring a bank that has real estate that “tags along.”
On December 20, 2019, the Setting Every Community Up for Retirement Enhancement Act of 2019 (the SECURE Act) was signed into law, bringing with it a number of significant changes to qualified retirement plans.
Last year the Trump administration published a new regulation that will expand the way USCIS investigates financial solvency of green card and visa applicants. That rule was put on hold until recently, when the U.S. Supreme Court allowed it to go forward. The new regulation took effect on February 24, 2020, nationwide.
On February 7, 2020, the Iowa Supreme Court issued a decision that significantly impacts a contractor’s mechanic’s lien rights on residential construction projects.
- The announcement and change follow a Supreme Court stay of nationwide injunctions, except in Illinois, where the rule remains enjoined by a federal court.
- The Trump Administration’s proclamation restricts U.S. entry of travelers from and through China due to coronavirus risk, with exceptions, such as lawful permanent residents (LPRs) of the United States, spouses and children of U.S. citizens or LPRs, air and sea crews, and others.
- The Trump administration suspends U.S. entry of nationals from six new countries: Burma (Myanmar), Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. The proclamation states country-by-country exceptions to the ban.
- As of January 31, 2020, employers should use a new version of the Form I-9 (version 10/21/2019, expires 10/31/2022). Employers may continue to use the old form until April 30, 2020.
- Those currently in valid E–1 or E–2 status based on the Treaty of Amity must depart the United States upon expiration of their authorized period of stay in the United States, unless otherwise authorized to remain.
- USCIS has reopened and extended the comment period on its proposed rule raising certain fees for immigration services and benefits to February 10, 2020.
- The iCERT System Labor Certification Registry, which provides public access to labor certification decisions in the PERM, LCA, H-2A and H-2B visa programs, will be decommissioned.
- The final fiscal year 2019 statistics include naturalizations, green cards, employment authorizations and protected populations, among other categories.
- USCIS formally announced it will open an initial registration period from March 1 through March 20, 2020, for the fiscal year 2021 H-1B numerical allocations.
- Costly disputes can arise when parties fail to properly document changes to a construction contract's original scope of work.
- According to the SEC, these priorities reflect certain practices and products that may present heightened risk to investors and/or the integrity of the U.S. capital markets.
- President Trump has signed legislation for fiscal year 2020 that includes several immigration-related provisions and preventing government shutdown.
- DHS has extended the validity of employment authorization documents issued under TPS designations through January 4, 2021, for certain TPS beneficiaries.
- On December 26, 2019, USCIS announced it would begin accepting applications from certain Liberian nationals to adjust status to lawful permanent residence.
- A new joint proposed rule by the Departments of Homeland Security and Justice would provide seven additional mandatory bars to eligibility for asylum.
- The Department of Justice reached a settlement agreement with Adecco USA Inc., one of the largest staffing companies in the United States.
- By a bipartisan vote of 260-165, the U.S. House of Representatives passed legislation intended to ease the agricultural labor shortage.
- The Trump administration recently published its regulatory agenda and, of interest to employers, will redefine the term “specialty occupation."
- Oregon-based Judge Michael Simon ruled that the October 2019 Presidential Proclamation "is inconsistent” with the Immigration and Nationality Act.
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