By: Samantha L. Brooks, Christopher J. DeGroff, and Andrew L. Scroggins
Seyfarth Synopsis: In a critical development, the EEOC has officially replaced its Strategic Enforcement Plan (SEP) for Fiscal Years 2024–2028 with a new National Enforcement Plan (NEP) for Fiscal Years 2025–2029, signed by Chair Andrea R. Lucas
Continue Reading Same Agency, New Targets: What the EEOC’s New National Enforcement Plan Really Means for EmployersBy: Camille A. Olson, Andrew L. Scroggins, and Dawn M. Lurie
This alert was first published as an update on November 24.
Employers that include foreign talent as part of their workforces, particularly programs like the H-1B non-immigrant visa program, should pay close attention to recent enforcement information
Continue Reading EEOC and DOJ Intensify Focus on Ensuring Non Discrimination Against Americans Based on their National Origin
The Trump administration is one step closer to unveiling a major change in how H-1B visas are allocated. On August 8, the White House’s Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA) signed off on a proposed rule that could significantly reshape the selection process for specialty occupation workers.
While the
Continue Reading H-1B Visa Rule Moves Closer to Release: Wage-Based Selection Likely
On June 4, 2025, President Donald Trump issued a Presidential Proclamation aimed at enhancing national security by restricting the entry of certain foreign nationals into the United States. This action builds on Executive Order 14161, “Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National security and Public Safety
Continue Reading Navigating the New Entry Restrictions: Implications for Global Mobility and Workforce PlanningIn a significant move to attract wealthy investors, President Donald Trump has floated a new immigration initiative known as the “Gold Card.” The initial announcement indicates that the Gold Card will make the EB-5 investment thresholds higher, require more vetting of eligible investors, and offer a pathway to citizenship.
What
Continue Reading All That Glitters May Not Be Gold: Trump’s Gold Card vs EB-5By: Lilah Wylde, Dawn Lurie, and Rachel See
This blog first appeared in our Presidential Pulse Legal Update published on February 26. Join our Presidential Pulse mailing list for the latest information on emerging issues related to the second Trump Administration. Subscribe to our Presidential Pulse updates here.
Continue Reading New Visa Restrictions Target Transgender Athletes, Raising Title IX and Compliance Concerns for CollegesEffective February 18, 2025, the U.S. Department of State (DOS) made changes to the visa interview waiver program, leaving applicants and employers scrambling to navigate the new requirements. These restrictions—implemented with no transition period—carry implications for anyone seeking employment-based visa stamps abroad. In the long run, wait times for
Continue Reading Breaking Down the State Department’s New Visa Interview Waiver LimitsBy: Andrea Davis
The U.S. Department of State announced a significant update to the Exchange Visitor Skills List, effective as of December 9, 2024. This action is in response to an Executive Order issued last year, in which the Biden Administration gave instructions to “consider initiating a rulemaking
Continue Reading Understanding the New Exchange Visitor Skills List Update
In an era of increasing global competition for highly skilled professionals, U.S. employers often face challenges in recruiting and retaining top talent. The National Interest Waiver (NIW) is a special provision under the EB-2 visa category, offering a unique solution by allowing foreign nationals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities
Continue Reading National Interest Waiver (NIW) as a Viable Alternative to a Traditional Employment-based Green CardThe Diversity Visa (DV) Lottery program, administered by the U.S. Department of State, allocates up to 55,000 immigrant visas annually through a random selection process from countries with low rates of immigration to the United States. Although it is a highly competitive process, the DV lottery can still be a
Continue Reading Diversity Visa Lottery: A Guide for U.S. Employers