The Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is modifying the temporary exemptions for nonimmigrant students taking online classes due to the pandemic for the fall 2020 semester. The modifications include the following: Nonimmigrant F-1 and M-1 students attending schools operating entirely online may not take a full online course load and remain in the United...
Jean Louise
By the publication of a new policy memorandum on June 17, 2020 (the “new memo” or the “June 17, 2020 memo”), U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has rescinded two policy memos responsible for most of the increase in the denials of H-1B petitions. The June 17, 2020 memo touches different requirements that were previously...
The Coronavirus Relief Fund (“Fund”) provides $139 billion to states and local governments for use toward expenditures incurred due to the public health emergency with respect to COVID-19.[1] The funding is allocated by population proportions among the States, with a minimum of $1.25 billion for smaller states. Eligible local governments (see “Eligibility” below) can apply...
In an environment of a pandemic caused by COVID-19 (the “Novel Coronavirus”), buyers and sellers (collectively the “Parties”) are now implementing new terms and clauses in the multi-family contract to complete transactions. I have been working with numerous buyers and sellers to navigate these uncharted waters to continue with current purchase and sale contracts (“Contract”)...
On April 9, 2020, The Federal Reserve launched the Municipal Liquidity Facility (“MLF”), a credit facility that will purchase up to $500 billion of Eligible Notes (defined below) issued by eligible states, local governments, and instrumentalities (“Eligible Issuers”). The term sheet released by the Federal Reserve (available here) on April 9th further clarifies the terms...
In the wake of COVID-19, two (2) critical methods of relief are being offered to business owners across the country. The first is the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (“EIDL”) which is administrated by the Small Business Administration (“SBA”). The EIDL is a low-interest, non-forgivable loan available to a wide variety of business owners with key...
The Manual of Aid to State & Local Governments Under CARES Act is a comprehensive guide to federal assistance to state and local governments under the recent COVID-19 relief bill. We are maintaining the Manual to reflect regulatory developments as federal agencies implement the CARES Act. The Manual is now current as of April 15, 2020....
The novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) has impacted revenues for most businesses. Many counties in Texas have issued “shelter in place” orders, and many countries have limited or banned domestic and international travel. With revenues down, business owners are concerned about managing expenses, and property tax are consistently among the top expenses for Texas property owners. This...