The Duane Morris Immigration Team is dedicated to providing the most up to date information and zealous advocacy on behalf of our clients during the COVID-19 emergency. We have compiled information from various U.S. agencies on all aspects of travel, USCIS appointments, ICE activities and Removal Proceedings.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Valentine Brown, which will be updated as changes develop, please visit the Duane Morris Immigration Blog.
New travel bans and restrictions have been announced in South Africa, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Costa Rica, Australia and Ireland. Please use the links below to read the details from partner Jet Stigter on the Duane Morris Immigration Blog.
Switzerland Responds to COVID-19; Travel Restrictions and Immigration Processing Limitations
Luxembourg COVID-19 Travel Ban and Entry Restrictions
Costa Rica Closed to Visitors until April 12; More Immigration Delays in wake of COVID-19
By Jose Aquino
On March 23, 2020, President Trump announced that he would extend the October 1, 2020 deadline for compliance with the REAL ID Act of 2005. Under the REAL ID Act, federal agencies cannot accept state driver’s licenses or identification cards for “official purposes.” Implementation of the REAL ID Act would prohibit the use of a state ID to enter federal buildings or pass through TSA security checkpoints to board domestic flights, unless the propounded ID meets certain minimum requirements. The stated goal for extending the compliance date is to avoid potential disruption of air travel.
On March 26, 2020, the acting Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chad Wolf announced the extension of the compliance deadline by one year, until October 1, 2021. The directive to DHS to delay the Real ID rollout until at least Sept. 30, 2021, was part of the $2 trillion stimulus package passed by Congress. A Real ID is obtainable only in-person at a state DMV office. DHS had to avoid applicants rushing to obtain compliant identification at a time of social distancing and government closure due to the nationwide outbreak of COVID-19.
Congress first enacted the Real ID Act in 2005 in response to the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. The goal was to have secure and consistent identification documents across the nation. The original deadline, however, had to be extended for years because non-compliance by most states.
Many small and mid-sized businesses are facing unprecedented challenges in dealing the COVID-19 pandemic. In many states, “non-essential” businesses have faced complete shutdowns. In the face of COVID-19, small and mid-sized businesses face myriad challenges and it can be overwhelming to try to tackle them with limited human and capital resources. The below is a list of key risk-mitigation items that should be priorities for small and mid-sized businesses as they face remote working challenges and capital crunches. Continue reading “Considerations for Small and Mid-Sized Businesses in Responding to COVID-19 Pandemic”
Enacted on March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) is the largest economic stimulus package in American history, providing $2 trillion in essential financial, medical and economic assistance to industries, businesses and individuals affected by this global health and financial crisis. Since the early stages, the Duane Morris COVID-19 Strategy Team has been closely monitoring developments and advising clients on the complex legal issues and far-reaching implications of the pandemic. Our attorneys have reviewed the key provisions of the CARES Act and have summarized the significant benefits, resources and opportunities that may be available to you.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
On March 27, 2020, the House of Representatives passed the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act). The Senate passed the Act on March 25, 2020, and the president is expected to sign the Act into law shortly. The Act is the largest stimulus bill in American history and contains a number of provisions that affect an employer’s retirement plans and executive compensation arrangements.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert summarizing these provisions, please visit the firm website.
As more and more states and localities shut down entire industries and order workers and citizens to stay home and shelter in place, many companies are asking “How does this affect my operations?” In this’ post, we focus on the Construction Industry and how it fits into the Federal, state and municipal mosaic of what is being defined as “essential”.
To read the full text of this post by Duane Morris partner Brad Molotsky, please visit the Duane Morris Project Development/Infrastructure/P3 Blog.
As the outbreak of the coronavirus (COVID-19) continues to plague the United States, on March 27, 2020, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the previously approved U.S. Senate version of the much anticipated Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act (CARES Act), providing a needed $2 trillion in relief to the U.S. economy that is teetering on the border of a recession. The CARES Act is the largest of its kind in U.S. history and will provide $500 billion to distressed companies, $350 billion in small business loans and $250 billion in direct payments to individuals and families.
This Alert serves as a brief overview of a few of the important provisions of the CARES Act and IRS Notice 2020-18 that will have a significant impact on private equity funds and their portfolio companies moving forward.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
Three weeks ago, some of the most common questions employment lawyer Jonathan Segal’s clients asked about COVID-19 included whether they could allow employees to work from home or travel for business.
With the virus quickly spreading across the U.S., the Duane Morris partner said those same business executives are now asking what to do if an employee cannot work from home or how to handle cutting jobs, hours or salaries.
To read more of Mr. Segal’s remarks from an excerpt of this article, please visit the Duane Morris website.
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has announced a series of changes, from local office procedures to services of the national service centers, in light of the rapidly evolving COVID-19 pandemic.
To read the full text of this Duane Morris Alert, please visit the firm website.
