Presidential Proclamation Suspends the Entry of Certain Chinese Graduate Students and Researchers into the U.S.

by Kristine Nazir The Proclamation bans Chinese nationals in F or J status in graduate-level programs who are or have been associated with Chinese entities involved with China’s “military-civil fusion strategy” from applying for visas or seeking entry into the U.S.  The “military-civil fusion strategy” is defined as “actions by or at the behest of China to acquire and divert foreign technologies, specifically critical and emerging technologies, to incorporate into and advance China’s military capabilities.” The Proclamation took effect on

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SB 739 – Anti-Discrimination Against Israel Act, Contracting Officers Beware…

by Lisa Berns The Missouri legislature’s truncated and recently completed 2020 session did not produce as much legislation as is typical. Nonetheless one of the few bills that has made it out of the capitol has some terms that (assuming it is not vetoed by Governor Parson) Missouri public school district and community college district officials should be fully aware of for all new contracts, requests for proposal and purchase orders going forward. Truly agreed to and finally passed Senate

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USCIS Offices Reopening June 4th

Beginning June 4, 2020, certain USCIS field offices and application support centers will resume non-emergency face-to-face services to the public. USCIS field offices will send notices to applicants and petitioners with scheduled appointments and naturalization ceremonies impacted by the extended temporary closure.


Kristine Nazir represents corporations and institutions of higher education with their immigration needs, including obtaining temporary and permanent visas, handling employer sanctions issues, I-9 and E-Verify employment eligibility verification compliance, consular processing, and naturalization.  Prior to

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Presidential Proclamation Announces Brazilian Travel Restrictions

by Kristine Nazir As you may have heard, President Trump has issued a proclamation suspending entry into the U.S. for any individual who has been in Brazil within 14 days immediately preceding their arrival to the U.S. The travel restriction does not apply to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents (green card holders), or to most immediate family members of U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents. The travel restriction goes into effect on May 28, 2020, at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight

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Illinois General Assembly Eases IEP Administrative Burdens

by Merry Rhoades The Illinois General Assembly, at its May 22, 2020 Special Session, relieved administrative burdens on special educators.  Below is a summary of changes to Sections 14-8.02f and 14-8.02h of the Illinois School Code: Changes to Section 14-8.02f

  • Starting July 1, 2020, any evaluation report or data collected to be considered at an eligibility meeting or IEP review meeting is to be provided 3 school days prior to the scheduled IEP meeting. For a student previously determined
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Department of Education Releases Final Title IX Regulations: What Missouri Public Schools Need to Know

On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) released the final Title IX regulations (“Final Rule“).  The implementation date for the Final Rule is August 14, 2020.  While discussion about the Title IX regulations has largely centered on colleges and universities, the changes will also impact how K-12 districts in Missouri should respond to students’ reports of sexual assault and harassment under Title IX.  Notably, the regulations deviate significantly from the “Dear Colleague Letters”

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Department of Education Releases Final Title IX Regulations: What Illinois Schools Need to Know

On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) released the final Title IX regulations (“Final Rule“).  The implementation date for the Final Rule is August 14, 2020.  While discussion about the Title IX regulations has largely centered on colleges and universities, the changes will also impact how K-12 districts in Illinois should respond to students’ reports of sexual assault and harassment under Title IX.   Below are some of the key Title IX provisions

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Department of Education Releases Final Title IX Regulations: Key Provisions for Higher Ed

by Veronica Potter On May 6, 2020, the U.S. Department of Education (“ED”) released the final Title IX regulations (“Final Rule”). ED had previously issued a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (“NPRM”) in November 2018. The NPRM was subject to notice and comment through January 2019, and during this time, over 124,000 comments were submitted to ED. The implementation date for the Final Rule is August 14, 2020. The Final Rule is quite lengthy – over 2,000

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Jim Layton Leads American Academy of Appellate Lawyers Task Force on Remote Oral Argument

Appellate advocacy has changed quickly and dramatically since the arrival of COVID-19, with courts across the country using audio and video links to hold oral arguments electronically. This week, even the U.S Supreme Court joined the movement, holding its very first telephone oral arguments – which included questions from Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg from her hospital room, and an unprecedented number of questions from Justice Clarence Thomas, who is usually quiet during arguments. Tueth Keeney’s Jim Layton has been appointed

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Kate Nash Presents at Employment Law Alliance Webinar Discussing Legal Issues in Higher Education During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Kate Nash will join a panel of esteemed speakers on May 13th for a discussion focusing on helping higher education institutions identify common legal issues, projects, and problems that, while not created by the COVID-19 pandemic, were brought to the forefront by it.  The session  will  be divided into four topics (student issues, employment issues, risk management issues, and corporate issues), and identify key issues such as hearing formats and logistics for Title IX proceedings; faculty handbook and contract issues;

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