American Academy of Appellate Lawyers Announces Recommendations for Remote Oral Argument Developed by Task Force Led by Tueth Keeney’s Jim Layton

by Jim Layton The American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, a select group of very experienced appellate advocates, has published its recommendations for appellate courts to hear oral arguments remotely. The recommendations were prepared by a task force led by Academy Fellow Jim Layton of Tueth Keeney. They were based on the remote argument experience of Academy Fellows, their colleagues, and clients. The recommendations emphasize three principles:

  • That remote oral argument be used instead of submitting on the briefs cases
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Immigration Alert: Presidential Proclamation Temporarily Suspending Entry of Certain Nonimmigrants is Effective TODAY

As anticipated, on Monday, June 22, 2020, President Trump  issued a Presidential Proclamation (also referred to as Executive Order) that temporarily suspends entry into the United States of certain foreign nationals seeking to enter in the following visa categories:  H-1B (specialty occupation workers), H-2B (seasonal non-agricultural workers), L-1 (intracompany transferees) and certain J-1 visa holders (intern, trainee, teacher, camp counselor, au pair, or certain summer work travel program workers).  This temporary suspension on entry also applies to the dependents of

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Supreme Court Upholds DACA

by Kristine Nazir On June 18, 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that the Trump administration’s termination of the program known as Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals, or DACA, was “arbitrary and capricious,” in violation of federal law that governs administrative procedure.  The ruling will protect hundreds of thousands of young immigrants, an estimated 700,000 recipients, who have been shielded from deportation and allowed to receive work permits under the program. The government agency responsible for processing DACA applications, U.S. Citizenship

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Illinois School Board Remote Meeting Requirements During a Disaster Declaration

by Rob Jackstadt On June 12, 2020, Governor J.B Pritzker inked Senate Bill 2135 which permits School Boards to conduct remote open and closed meetings under certain circumstances. Boards of Education may hold public meetings and conduct public business remotely if (a) the Governor or the Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health has issued a disaster declaration related to public health concerns and (b) the Board President determines that meeting in-person in not practical or prudent because of

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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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