Effective January 1, 2018, a new Missouri rule dramatically changes the line spacing requirements for appellate briefs. The rule effective until December 31 required double spacing for everything in the brief that matters to the writer"”and the reader: Rule 84.06(a)...
Insights
Travel Ban 3.0 Reinstated
As noted in a previous blog, on September 24, 2017, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation, placing certain visa/travel restrictions on nationals of eight identified countries, subject to various exclusions for certain individuals, including current lawful...
Jim Layton Files Suit on Behalf of a Member of the State Board of Education Who Governor Greitens Attempted to Fire Last Week
Jim Layton of Tueth Keeney filed suit this morning on behalf of a member of the State Board of Education who Governor Greitens attempted to fire last week. Governor Greitens appointed Tim Sumners to the State Board in October. But on November 20, a member of the...
Recent Updates on President Trump’s Travel and Refugee Bans
As noted in a previous blog (available here), on September 24, 2017, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation placing certain visa/travel restrictions on nationals of eight identified countries, subject to various exclusions for certain individuals,...
Rescission of Deference to Prior Decisions Granting Certain Nonimmigrant Visa Status
On October 23, 2017, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") issued updated policy guidance directing its officers to "apply the same level of scrutiny to both initial petitions and extension requests for certain nonimmigrant visa categories." Previous...
2019 Diversity Visa Program (“Green Card Lottery”)
2019 Diversity Visa Program ("Green Card Lottery") Background In fiscal year 2019, the annual Diversity Visa (DV) Program (Commonly known as "Green Card Lottery" or "DV Lottery Program") will make available 50,000 immigrant visas (permanent resident visas) to...
Travel Ban 3.0
On September 24, 2017, President Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation, titled "Enhancing Vetting Capabilities and Processes for Detecting Attempted Entry into the United States by Terrorists or Other Public-Safety Threats." The Proclamation summarizes the...
SB 1947 Offers relief from Physical Education and Drivers’ Ed Mandates
Two small provisions of the comprehensive school-funding reform bill relieve Illinois school districts of some significant curriculum requirements. First, the law removes the requirement that Illinois schools offer "daily" physical education. Instead, the new law...
Mandate Relief in Senate Bill 1947: Waivers
Senate Bill 1947 introduces two changes to the process by which school districts seek waivers from School Code mandates. Upon initial review, the changes do not appear drastic, but they do make the waiver request process slightly less onerous. Districts that may be...
“Green Card Lottery” 2019 Diversity VISA Program
SEE UPDATED POST (October 18, 2017) Background In fiscal year 2019, the annual Diversity Visa (DV) Program (Commonly known as "Green Card Lottery" or "DV Lottery Program") will make available 50,000 immigrant visas (permanent resident visas) to persons from...
Amendments to Missouri Human Rights Act Are Now the Law
After years of Missouri employers seeking changes to the state's primary employment anti-discrimination law, amendments to the Missouri Human Rights Act (MHRA) recently went into effect. Missouri Senate Bill 43, the legislative vehicle for the MHRA amendments, passed...
Rescission of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA)
On September 5, 2017, President Trump's Administration announced rescission of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program implemented in 2012 by President Obama. Through the DACA program, certain young people who entered the United States before the age...



