Dec 16, 2017
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) “¦ The Brief shall: “¦ (5) Be double-spaced, except that the cover, any required certificate of service, certificate required by Rule 84.06(c), and signature block may be single-spaced. The double-space rule was imposed because when brief length was regulated by
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Dec 7, 2017
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 permanent residents (i.e., green card holders). As noted in a subsequent blog, on October 17, 2017, federal district courts in Maryland and Hawaii issued preliminary injunctions prohibiting implementation of key aspects of the Proclamation. Those orders were then appealed
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Nov 28, 2017
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 Governor’s staff called Mr. Sumners to say that the governor had “withdrawn” the appointment. Governor Greitens then appointed Jennifer Edwards to the Board. When Mr. Sumners appeared at the November
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Oct 26, 2017
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, including current lawful permanent residents (i.e., green card holders). Like the President’s previous Travel Bans (discussed in the blogs available here and here), federal district courts in Maryland and Hawaii have issued preliminary injunctions enjoining enforcement of the visa/travel restrictions
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Oct 26, 2017
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 policy had instructed officers to give deference to the findings of previously approved petitions, as long as there was no evidence of fraud or material error related to the prior determination and the key elements remained the same. The updated guidance removes this
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Oct 18, 2017
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 persons from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The permanent residence visas (also known as “green cards”) are made available to persons who meet the simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. The DV visas are distributed among
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Sep 26, 2017
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 world-wide review of information-sharing practices and identity-management protocols of foreign governments conducted by the Secretary of Homeland Security pursuant to section 2 of Executive Order 13780 (Travel Ban 2.0). In reliance on the results of this world-wide review, the Proclamation identifies eight countries
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Sep 22, 2017
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 provides “A school board may determine the schedule or frequency of physical education courses, provided that a pupil engages in a course of physical education for a minimum of 3 days per 5-day week.” That means that, under the new law, it is up to
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Sep 20, 2017
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 interested in submitting a waiver request should take note of the following. The first change provides districts with additional reasons to cite when requesting a waiver of a School Code mandate. Previously, school districts
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Sep 14, 2017
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 countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. The permanent residence visas (also known as “green cards”) are made available to persons who meet the simple, but strict, eligibility requirements. The DV visas are distributed among
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James R. Layton
Melanie Gurley Keeney
Laura E. Hemmer