Jan 9, 2017
Melanie Gurley Keeney will present for the ELA Webinar “Year in Review & What to Expect in 2017”, on Wednesday, January 25, 2017. Melanie’s update on Immigration Law will focus on Department of Homeland Security final regulations, effective January 17, 2017, regarding Highly Skilled Workers; what the new regulations mean for employers and employees; and other highlights from 2016. Details on the free webinar, provided by the Employment Law Alliance, and presented by their U.S. members,
read more
Nov 20, 2016
On November 18, 2016, the Department of Homeland Security (“DHS”) published a final rule with provisions that significantly impact certain immigrant and nonimmigrant workers. The new rule can be found at https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2016-11-18/pdf/2016-27540.pdf. The effective date of the new rule is January 17, 2017. In the Executive Summary to the new rule, DHS expresses that the intent of the new rule is to streamline certain processes and to “better enable U.S. employers to employ and retain highly-skilled workers
read more
Nov 10, 2016
On August 25, 2016, the Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) approved a new version of Form I-9, Employment Eligibility Verification. The new version will replace the current version of the I-9 form that expired on March 31, 2016, and will be valid for a period of three years through August 31, 2019. USCIS has 90 days from OMB’s approval of the form, in which to update its system and make the form available on its website (
read more
Oct 25, 2016
On August 26, 2016, USCIS proposed a new role that would allow certain international entrepreneurs to be considered for parole (temporary permission to be in the U.S.) so that they may start or scale-up their businesses in the U.S. The comment period closed on October 10, 2016. The proposed rule does not take effect until the date indicated in the final rule when a final rule is published in the Federal Register. Under the proposed rule, the Department of Homeland
read more
Apr 16, 2016
Melanie Gurley Keeney recently served as a presenter at the Missouri/Kansas AILA Chapter Conference held at Kansas University. Melanie’s presentation focused on Employment-Based Nonimmigrant Visas, current trends and practice pointers regarding the H-1B visa; and NIV processes. Melanie Gurley Keeney, a founding Shareholder of Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. , practices in the areas of Employment, Immigration, and Education law. Melanie represents institutions of higher education, corporations and individuals in immigration law
read more
Mar 15, 2016
Last Friday, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) published its final regulations on STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT) Employment Authorization (EAD) Extension. The new regulations will go into effect on May 10, 2016 and allow certain foreign students with degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) from U.S. institutions of higher education to extend their STEM OPT employment authorization period from 17 months to 24 months. The 17-month STEM OPT EADs issued
read more
Mar 9, 2016
Today, Wednesday, March 9, 2016, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security released the much anticipated Optional Practical Training STEM Employment Authorization final rule. The rule is scheduled to be published in the Federal Register on Friday, March 11, 2016. As a background, the STEM OPT EAD Extension program was approved back in 2008 by President George W. Bush’s administration. The STEM OPT EAD Extension program allowed a 17-month extension of the Optional Practical Training (OPT) employment authorization program for international
read more
Mar 5, 2016
Melanie Gurley Keeney has been named a recipient of the 2016 Litigation Practitioner Award as part of the Missouri Lawyers Weekly Women’s Justice Awards. The Women’s Justice Awards have been presented annually by the Missouri Lawyers Weekly for the past 17 years. These awards recognize female attorneys who are committed to their professions and their communities and who are strong legal professionals. Missouri Lawyers Weekly looks to honor those who have moved the needle in the Missouri legal community. They
read more
Jun 1, 2015
Melanie Gurley Keeney was a featured speaker at the Eastern Missouri ““ Southern Illinois (“EMSI”) Rescue and Restore Regional Conference to Combat Human Trafficking. Melanie presented an overview of various non-immigrant visa programs (temporary workers, students, exchange programs, fiancé) as part of a panel that addressed how nonimmigrants may be vulnerable to exploitation and trafficking. Melanie Gurley Keeney, a founding Shareholder of Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. , practices in the areas of Employment,
read more
Feb 4, 2015
Melanie Gurley Keeney recently served as a Guest Lecturer at the Washington University School of Law. Melanie’s presentation on Business Immigration Law focused on nonimmigrant (H, L, TN) visas and immigrant options (PERM, and EB categories) for business people.
Melanie Gurley Keeney, a founding Shareholder of Tueth, Keeney, Cooper, Mohan & Jackstadt, P.C. , practices in the areas of Employment, Immigration, and Education law. Melanie represents institutions of higher education, corporations and individuals in immigration
read more