Immigration

October 17, 2024
Gordon Rees Gains Trial Atty From Nashville Boutique

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP has added a trial attorney from Nashville boutique Taylor Pigue Marchetti & Blair PLLC with experience in complex commercial litigation, professional liability, employment and immigration law.
October 17, 2024
Fla. Says DHS Hiding Immigration Data Needed For Elections

Florida accused the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday of withholding critical data necessary to verify voter eligibility, arguing that the agency's online service for verifying immigration status is inadequate and that the federal government has more information it refuses to disclose.
October 16, 2024
H2-A Workers Allegedly Forced To Work In Potato Warehouses

Three Mexican citizens filed a proposed collective action in Colorado federal court Tuesday alleging a company lured them to work in the U.S. under guest worker visas with false promises, then trafficked them into forced labor in Colorado potato warehouses.
October 16, 2024
County Asks Judge To Let State Court Handle Detention Issue

An Indiana county asked a federal court on Tuesday to refrain from hearing immigrant detainees' claims that it violated a duty to "take care" of them, saying the question involves complex local issues that should be resolved by a state court.
October 16, 2024
9th Circ. Revives Mexican Dad's Bid To Challenge Removal

The Ninth Circuit on Wednesday affirmed an immigration judge's decision denying a Mexican citizen's cancellation of removal bid, but ruled that the Board of Immigration Appeals' application of an incorrect standard for reopening the father's removal proceedings warranted a remand.
October 16, 2024
Feds Deny That West Bank Sanctions Hamper Free Speech

The Biden administration rebuffed claims by a group of U.S. and Israeli citizens that a sanctions program covering extremist actors in the Israeli-occupied West Bank restricts their free speech rights, saying that merely opposing U.S. foreign policy goals isn't a sanctionable offense.
October 16, 2024
Red States Defend Texas' Standing To Protest Family Parole

Republican states backed Texas' attack on a Biden administration program easing green card access for U.S. citizens' unauthorized family members, telling a Texas federal court that it must give special consideration to Texas' standing to challenge the federal program.
October 15, 2024
CFPB Funding Shouldn't Stop Texas' Fraud Suit, Judge Says

A Houston federal magistrate judge has endorsed allowing the state of Texas to proceed with a real estate fraud suit against land developer Colony Ridge, rejecting objections tied in part to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau's funding from Federal Reserve "earnings."
October 15, 2024
Transport Monopoly Judge Accepts Antitrust Guilty Plea

A Texas federal judge has accepted a guilty plea from one of a dozen individuals in an antitrust case whom the government accused of using violence and intimidation to monopolize cross-border sales of used vehicles and other goods from the U.S. to Central America.
October 15, 2024
Biz Fights Partner's $32.8M Cut Of Texas Migrant Busing Deals

A transportation company sued to vacate an arbitration decision awarding an affiliate a $32.8 million share of migrant busing contracts under Texas' Operation Lone Star, saying the partner can't claim earnings from an initiative that didn't exist when their partnership began.
October 15, 2024
Justices Probe 'Oddities' Of Law On Revoked Visa Petitions

The U.S. Supreme Court questioned the federal government Tuesday over its argument that Congress intended to bar judicial review of revoked visa petitions, asking why initial petition decisions are reviewable but revocations are not.
October 15, 2024
Paxton Can't Get Sanctions Against Immigrant Rights Org.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton failed to convince a Texas appeals court to sanction an immigrant rights nonprofit for opposing his request for a newly created state appeals court to review his effort to shutter the organization.
October 15, 2024
Law Firms Diverge As Anti-ESG Pushback Continues

A continuing onslaught of legislation and litigation opposing corporate environmental, social and governance actions has created a fork in the road for law firms, with some choosing to scale back efforts and others pushing ahead with their internal ESG and diversity, equity and inclusion goals.
October 15, 2024
The 2024 Law360 Pulse Social Impact Leaders

Check out our Social Impact Leaders ranking, analysis and interactive graphics to see which firms stand out for their engagement with social responsibility and commitment to pro bono service.
October 11, 2024
La. Sugarcane Cos. Skimped On Migrant Work Pay, Suit Says

Mexico residents who worked for two Louisiana sugarcane businesses have lodged a proposed class against their former employers in Louisiana federal court, alleging the companies secured the wrong temporary work visas to avoid paying higher wages and failed to reimburse preemployment expenses.
October 11, 2024
Up Next At High Court: CBD Injuries & The Clean Water Act

The U.S. Supreme Court will be closed Monday, but the justices will return to the bench Tuesday to hear arguments over whether the federal Racketeering Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act allows litigants to pursue claims of economic harm tied to personal injuries, and how specific pollutant discharge limits have to be under the Clean Water Act.
October 11, 2024
EB-5 Investor Urges Rollback Of Immigration Fee Hikes

An EB-5 immigrant investor urged a Colorado federal judge to set aside controversial immigration fee increases that took effect in April, arguing that a 2022 law required a study from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security before the immigrant investor program fees could be raised.
October 11, 2024
High Court Bar's Future: Stanford Law's Easha Anand

Fresh off her shot-from-a-cannon debut during the U.S. Supreme Court's previous term, Easha Anand of Stanford Law School is moving full steam ahead into the new term, arguing Tuesday against one of the nation's most accomplished oral advocates. If things go as usual, Anand says she'll have nerves "out the wazoo" before and even after the showdown — but none at all when staying calm matters most.
October 11, 2024
BofA Must Face Iranian Bias Claims At 9th Circ.

A Bank of America customer wants the Ninth Circuit to revive his proposed class action alleging the financial giant discriminates against Iranian citizens, according to a notice of appeal.
October 10, 2024
Paxton Sanctions Attempt Is 'Intimidation Tactic,' Nonprofit Says

A Houston civil rights nonprofit focusing on immigration is calling a sanctions motion from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton an "intimidation tactic," telling a state appeals court that it shouldn't have to just accept whatever legal interpretation the state spits out or face sanctions.
October 10, 2024
Feds, US Allies Hash Out New Special Visa Process

A D.C. federal judge on Thursday largely rejected the federal government's proposed revisions to a court-ordered plan to hasten the processing of special immigrant visas, or SIVs, for Afghan and Iraqi allies to the U.S.
October 10, 2024
5th Circ. Judge Hints Justices' 'Sea Change' May Help DACA

A Fifth Circuit judge grilled Texas on Thursday over whether it still has standing to challenge the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals policy, suggesting recent U.S. Supreme Court precedent might spell trouble for the Lone Star State's bid to kill the program.
October 10, 2024
Vet Groups Back Soldiers Fighting Naturalization Mandate

Veterans' groups are backing soldiers fighting the Pentagon's efforts to mandate a one-year service requirement for citizenship eligibility, telling the D.C. Circuit that soldiers who enlist during wartime would risk getting deployed without the benefits of citizenship.
October 10, 2024
Sanctioned Afghan Officials Drop Suit For Treasury's Review

Two former Afghan lawmakers withdrew their lawsuit challenging the financial and immigration restrictions they face in the U.S., while the U.S. Department of Treasury considers a request to remove the sanctions.
October 09, 2024
Marine In Afghan Baby Kidnapping Suit Won't Be Discharged

A U.S. Marine attorney accused of kidnapping an Afghan child has reportedly avoided getting booted from the military despite a Marine Corps panel on Tuesday finding he engaged in conduct unbecoming of an officer in his fight over the child.

Expert Analysis

4 PR Pointers When Your Case Is In The News

Media coverage of new lawsuits exploded last year, demonstrating why defense attorneys should devise a public relations plan that complements their legal strategy, incorporating several objectives to balance ethical obligations and advocacy, say Nathan Burchfiel at Pinkston and Ryan June at Castañeda + Heidelman.
Law Firm Strategies For Successfully Navigating 2024 Trends

Though law firms face the dual challenge of external and internal pressures as they enter 2024, firms willing to pivot will be able to stand out by adapting to stakeholder needs and reimagining their infrastructure, says Shireen Hilal at Maior Consultants.
The Most-Read Legal Industry Law360 Guest Articles Of 2023

A range of legal industry topics drew readers' attention in Law360's Expert Analysis section this year, from associate retention strategies to ethical billing practices.
Attorneys' Busiest Times Can Be Business Opportunities

Attorneys who resolve to grow their revenue and client base in 2024 should be careful not to abandon their goals when they get too busy with client work, because these periods of zero bandwidth can actually be a catalyst for future growth, says Amy Drysdale at Alchemy Consulting.
In The World Of Legal Ethics, 10 Trends To Note From 2023

Lucian Pera at Adams and Reese and Trisha Rich at Holland & Knight identify the top legal ethics trends from 2023 — including issues related to hot documents, artificial intelligence and cybersecurity — that lawyers should be aware of to put their best foot forward.
What's Ahead For Immigrant Employee Rights Enforcement

The U.S. Department of Justice’s increased enforcement related to immigration-based employment discrimination is coupled with pending constitutional challenges to administrative tribunals, suggesting employers should leverage those headwinds when facing investigations or class action-style litigation, say attorneys at Jones Day.
How Attorneys Can Be More Efficient This Holiday Season

Attorneys should consider a few key tips to speed up their work during the holidays so they can join the festivities — from streamlining the document review process to creating similar folder structures, says Bennett Rawicki at Hilgers Graben.
How Int'l Student-Athlete Law Would Change The NIL Game

Recently proposed legislation to allow international student-athletes the opportunity to profit from their name, image and likeness without violating their F-1 nonimmigrant student visa status represents a pivotal step in NIL policy, and universities must assess and adapt their approaches to accommodate unique immigration concerns, say attorneys at Phelps Dunbar.
Series

Children's Book Writing Makes Me A Better Lawyer

Becoming a children's book author has opened doors to incredible new experiences of which I barely dared to dream, but the process has also changed my life by serving as a reminder that strong writing, networking and public speaking skills are hugely beneficial to a legal career, says Shaunna Bailey at Sheppard Mullin.
How Clients May Use AI To Monitor Attorneys

Excerpt from Practical Guidance

Artificial intelligence tools will increasingly enable clients to monitor and evaluate their counsel’s activities, so attorneys must clearly define the terms of engagement and likewise take advantage of the efficiencies offered by AI, says Ronald Levine at Herrick Feinstein.
How AI Executive Order Aims To Compete For Foreign Talent

Immigration provisions within the Biden administration's executive order on artificial intelligence take a strategic approach to promoting the U.S. as a destination for AI and STEM talent by streamlining visa processing, enhancing educational and exchange programs, and improving current visa programs and pathways to permanent residency, says Eric Bord at Morgan Lewis.
Series

The Pop Culture Docket: Judge D'Emic On Moby Grape

The 1968 Moby Grape song "Murder in My Heart for the Judge" tells the tale of a fictional defendant treated with scorn by the judge, illustrating how much the legal system has evolved in the past 50 years, largely due to problem-solving courts and the principles of procedural justice, says Kings County Supreme Court Administrative Judge Matthew D'Emic.
Series

Performing Music Makes Me A Better Lawyer

The discipline of performing live music has directly and positively influenced my effectiveness as a litigator — serving as a reminder that practice, intuition and team building are all important elements of a successful law practice, says Jeff Wakolbinger at Bryan Cave.
Expect CFPB Flex Over Large Nonbank Payment Cos.

A recent enforcement action and a new rule proposal from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau indicate a growing focus on the nonbank payment ecosystem, especially larger participants, in 2024, say Felix Shipkevich and Jessica Livingston at Shipkevich.
Breaking Down High Court's New Code Of Conduct

The U.S. Supreme Court recently adopted its first-ever code of conduct, and counsel will need to work closely with clients in navigating its provisions, from gift-giving to recusal bids, say Phillip Gordon and Mateo Forero at Holtzman Vogel.