International Compliance Blog

Blog Authors

AB C D E FGH I J K L M N O PQR S TUVW X YZ

Evan Abrams

Ali Burney

Elizabeth Arkell

Latest from International Compliance Blog

International Compliance Blog

Rare Executive Order Sharpens CFIUS Focus

By Evan Abrams, Brian Fleming & Stewart Baker

September 21, 2022

On September 15, 2022, President Biden issued a new executive order (EO), entitled “Executive Order on Ensuring Robust Consideration of Evolving National Security Risks by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States,” that directs CFIUS to consider certain risk factors when reviewing covered transactions. CFIUS-related executive orders are rare and have typically been used to establish procedures and processes, rather than provide substantive guidance to the Committee. President Biden’s order is unusual in…

International Compliance Blog

April 18 – May 2, 2022 Russian Sanctions Update

By Ed Krauland, Meredith Rathbone, Wendy Wysong, Dave Stetson, Jack Hayes, Peter Jeydel, Martin Willner, Jordan Cannon & Ryan Pereira

May 3, 2022

Between April 18 and May 2, 2022, the US government continued to ratchet up economic sanctions, export controls, and other restrictive trade measures targeting Russia. Most significantly, on April 21, President Biden issued a Proclamation prohibiting “Russian-affiliated vessels” from entering US ports. Otherwise, the US government has focused on utilizing its existing authorities to impose further costs on Russia. Over the last two weeks of April, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control…

International Compliance Blog

A Summary of The Latest US Sanctions on Russia

By Meredith Rathbone, Dave Stetson, Wendy Wysong, Jack Hayes, Jordan Cannon & Ryan Pereira

April 4, 2022

Between March 24 and April 1, 2022, the US Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated over 400 Russian elites, Duma members, and defense companies as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) pursuant to Executive Order (EO). 14024. OFAC also published four new, limited General Licenses regarding certain humanitarian, import-related, diplomatic, and journalistic activities, added one new FAQ, and published a determination for EO 14024. Separately, the White House has indicated that the United States…

International Compliance Blog

Update: New US Sanctions on Russia Target Certain Imports, Exports, Dollar Banknotes, and Investments

By Meredith Rathbone, Alexandra Baj, Jack Hayes, Dave Stetson, Peter Jeydel, Wendy Wysong, Ryan Pereira, Nicholas Kimbrell, Jordan Cannon & Nicholas Turner

March 21, 2022

As of March 20, 2022, a new Executive Order (EO) prohibited certain imports, exports, the transfer of US dollar banknotes to Russia, and new investments involving certain sectors of the Russian economy. The US Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) also issued new General Licenses and Frequently Asked Question (FAQ) guidance. Additionally, the US Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Industry & Security (BIS) announced new regulations to control the export, reexport, and transfer (in country)…

International Compliance Blog

White House Announces First Sanctions after Russia Enters Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk Regions

By Nicholas Turner, Wendy Wysong, Meredith Rathbone, Jack Hayes, Ed Krauland, Alexandra Baj & Dave Stetson

February 22, 2022

On February 21, 2022, the White House issued a new Executive Order (EO) imposing comprehensive sanctions on the disputed Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine following President Vladimir Putin’s announcement that Russia would recognize the independence of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic (DNR) and Luhansk People’s Republic (LNR) and place Russian military forces in those territories for purported peacekeeping operations. The new EO prohibits: new investment in the DNR or LNR by US persons, wherever…

International Compliance Blog

H-1B Work Visa Cap Lottery Registration Opens March 1, 2022. Time for Employers to Prepare

By Liz LaRocca & Dana Delott

February 7, 2022

Employer registration for the Fiscal Year 2023 (FY 23) H-1B “cap” lottery opens at noon, eastern standard time, on March 1, 2022. The registration will run until noon, eastern standard time, on March 18, 2022. The US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) H-1B registration process is rooted in the annual limits on first-time H-1B petitions. The online mechanism is used to narrow the number of applicants, consistent with the annual limits. The H-1B visa classification…

International Compliance Blog

Exceptions to In-Person Visa Interview Requirements at US Consulates Expanded for Temporary Visa Categories

By Liz LaRocca & Dana Delott

January 3, 2022

The US Department of State has expanded the exceptions to in-person visa interview requirements for certain temporary visa applicants. The visa categories which benefit from these changes, effective December 23, 2021, include: H-1, H-3, H-4, L, O, P, and Q visas as well as F, M and academic J applicants. As set forth below, the consular officers have discretion to waive standard interview requirements in these categories for individuals who have previously been issued visas…

International Compliance Blog

Travel Suspensions Ending: Vaccinations to be Required for Entry to United States

By Liz LaRocca & Dana Delott

September 21, 2021

On September 20, 2021, the Biden administration announced its intention to end all COVID-related geographic travel suspensions, beginning in November 2021. Travel suspensions are currently in place for Brazil, China, India, Ireland, Iran, the Schengen countries, South Africa, and the UK. In lieu of these restrictions, all travelers to the United States will be required to verify full COVID vaccination. The vaccination requirement is in addition to the current requirement that all individuals present proof…

International Compliance Blog

President Suspends Travel from India Effective May 4 Due to COVID Risks

By Liz LaRocca & Dana Delott

May 5, 2021

With daily news reports of India’s current COVID crisis worsening, President Biden issued a Presidential Proclamation, effective May 4, 2021, suspending entry to the United States from India for individuals in temporary immigration statuses who have been present in India within the prior 14-day period. The travel restriction does not apply to US citizens or permanent residents or certain relatives of citizens and permanent residents. The Proclamation will remain in effect indefinitely, ending only upon…

International Compliance Blog

Entry Suspension on Temporary Work Visa Categories Ended

By Liz LaRocca & Dana Delott

April 5, 2021

The Presidential Proclamation prohibiting entry to the US by foreign nationals in key temporary, employment-based, immigration categories expired on March 31, 2021. As expected, the Biden administration permitted Presidential Proclamation 10052 to remain effective through to expiration, but did not extend the broad restrictions on certain H-1B (temporary professional), H-2B (temporary non-agricultural worker), J (exchange visitor) and L-1(intra-company transferee) foreign nationals. This reversal of a policy which began on June 22, 2020, is significant for…