Immigration Update: Project Firewall

By: Kenneth Nilsson and Rachael Jeanfreau Recently, the U.S. Department of Labor launched “Project Firewall”, an initiative enforced by the Department’s Wage and Hour Division which aims to “safeguard the rights, wages, and job opportunities of highly skilled U.S. workers and maximize compliance with the H-1B visa program.” The H-1B visa program, which employers use … Continue reading Immigration Update: Project Firewall

U.S. Government Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries

By: Kenneth Nilsson and Rachael Jeanfreau Effective January 21, 2026, the United States government suspended the issuance of immigrant visas for foreign nationals of 75 countries. This suspension affects applicants for immigrant visas, including employment-based and family-based petitions for permanent residency (i.e., “green cards”). Nonimmigrant visas, such as tourist visas, student visas, H-1B visas, and … Continue reading U.S. Government Pauses Immigrant Visa Issuance for Nationals of 75 Countries

Court Finds Working Conditions Not Intolerable in EEOC Case Against Northwest Arkansas Hospitals

By: Scott D. Wilson The EEOC represents Efrin Chavez, a surgical technician who was hired by Northwest Arkansas Hospitals in January 2022 for a position in the Labor and Delivery Unit. The EEOC alleged that the hospital discriminated against Mr. Chavez because of his sex (male) by subjecting him to different terms, conditions, or privileges of … Continue reading Court Finds Working Conditions Not Intolerable in EEOC Case Against Northwest Arkansas Hospitals

What to Expect During an OSHA Investigation After a Workplace Accident

By: Joseph Cefalu When a serious workplace accident occurs, employers may face immediate scrutiny from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). For many employers, an OSHA investigation presents unfamiliar procedures and significant financial and legal risk, especially when severe injuries, fatalities or serious hazards are involved. Knowing what to expect and how to prepare … Continue reading What to Expect During an OSHA Investigation After a Workplace Accident

EEOC Signals Increased Focus on Religious Discrimination Cases

By Phillip Giorlando and Fred Preis With a Republican majority restored to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), employers should expect a significant uptick in religious discrimination litigation. Acting Chair Andrea Lucas has pledged to advance “broader litigation priorities” emphasizing religious liberty, marking a shift in enforcement focus under the current administration. Key Developments: The … Continue reading EEOC Signals Increased Focus on Religious Discrimination Cases

NLRB Quorum Restored: New Year May Bring New NLRB Decisions

By Philip Giorlando and Fred Preis After operating with only two members for nearly a year, the National Labor Relations Board finally regained its quorum on December 18, 2025, when the Senate confirmed Republicans James Murphy and Scott Mayer as Board members and Crystal Carey as General Counsel. Why This Matters The Board has been … Continue reading NLRB Quorum Restored: New Year May Bring New NLRB Decisions

Weeding Out: Marijuana Reclassification through Trump’s Executive Order

By: Kayla M. Jacob and Rachael Jeanfreau ‘Tis the season for marijuana reclassification. And this time, it is not a drill. On December 18, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an Executive Order directing Federal agencies to initiate the administrative process of reclassifying marijuana under the Controlled Substances Act from a Schedule I to a lower … Continue reading Weeding Out: Marijuana Reclassification through Trump’s Executive Order

ICE-y Relations: Employer Update on Operation Catahoula Crunch

By Rachael Jeanfreau and Kenneth Nilsson Since early December of 2025, over 200 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents, including agents from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP), have been active throughout southeast Louisiana in “Operation Catahoula Crunch,” a major immigration enforcement action. So far, according to the Department, more … Continue reading ICE-y Relations: Employer Update on Operation Catahoula Crunch

Army Investigation and Letter Reprimand Not Enough for Title VII Liability

By: Scott D. Wilson The Army defeated discrimination, retaliation, and harassment claims by a Black instructor who sued over being investigated and disciplined after a student reported his personal business website offered appointments during Army work hours. Carzell Middleton’s race bias claim fell short because he didn’t assert an adverse employment action, the US District … Continue reading Army Investigation and Letter Reprimand Not Enough for Title VII Liability

Employers Now Face a $100,000 Hurdle for H-1B Visas

By Rachael Jeanfreau and Kenneth Nilsson In an effort to encourage businesses to hire United States citizens as opposed to citizens of other nations, President Donald Trump recently signed a “restriction on entry of certain non-immigrant workers” which imposes a $100,000 fee on new H-1B visas petitions filed after 12:01 a.m. on September 21, 2025. … Continue reading Employers Now Face a $100,000 Hurdle for H-1B Visas