Twenty-Five Percent Threshold On March 27, 2020, Governor Inslee signed Senate Bill 6037 into law, effective on June 11, 2020. Pursuant to Senate Bill 6037, a new section will be added to RCW 23B.08 (the Washington Business Corporation Act, “WBCA”), requiring all public companies in Washington to diversify their boards of directors by January 1, […]
Helsell
Phase What? King County Now in “Phase 1.5”
On June 5, 2020, King County was approved for “modified Phase 1” under Washington State’s Safe Start Washington plan for reopening business in phases. Modified Phase 1 is not everything that Phase 2 is, but it’s more than Phase 1 where the county has been stuck while other counties have moved to Phase 2, and […]
Facial Coverings Required in Washington Workplaces
Beginning June 8, 2020, cloth face coverings and masks must be worn by all workers in all workplaces and job sites in Washington state.
COVID-19 and the Public Charge Rule
I have been getting numerous inquiries from clients regarding whether their receiving government benefits through CARES Act will affect their current or impending immigration statuses. USCIS started its expansive public charge rules as of February 24, 2020. What used to be not considered as public benefits triggering inadmissibility in the past got included such as […]
Washington Reinstates Protections for Domestic Violence Victims
On May 15, 2020, Washington State Legislature renewed Proclamation 20-45 which waives certain statutory requirements for domestic abuse victims seeking emergency protection during COVID quarantine. Our prior coverage on Proclamation 20-45 details the ways in which victims can seek emergency protection through electronic filing. On May 9, Senate Republicans denied the extension of these protective […]
Mask Up, King County!
Starting Monday, May 18, 2020, everyone in King County, Washington must wear cloth face coverings over their noses and mouths while at (a) “indoor public settings,” and (b) “outdoor public locations” where six feet of physical distancing from another person cannot be maintained. This is the written directive of Dr. Jeff Duchin by virtue of […]
Update on Proclamation 20-45 and Protections for Domestic Violence Victims
On Saturday, May 9th, Senate Republicans blocked the extension of Governor Inslee’s Emergency Proclamation 20-45 Protection Orders and Personal Service. This Proclamation, issued on April 10th, provided protections for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault, and stalking by easing the process by which victims can seek emergency protection orders and waiving in-person proceedings. This includes […]
CDC Guidance for Phased Reopening of Workplaces
Recently, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) draft guidelines for a 3-phased re-opening plan were released and published by national news media. Although rejected by the White House Coronavirus Task Force, given the often conflicting guidance coming from the White House, it is likely these guidelines would be viewed by some local and […]
President Trump’s Proclamation Suspending Some Immigrant Visas
President Trump signed a much-feared Proclamation on April 22, 2020, suspending certain immigrant visas, effective from April 23, 2020 for 60 days or until June 22, 2020. The measure contains broad exceptions and is more limited than the sweeping closure he tweeted. Section 2(a) spelled out the scope of suspension and limitation on entry applies […]
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services and COVID-19
USCIS has made several public announcements regarding COVID-19 measures: As of March 18, USCIS temporarily suspended routine in-person services through at least May 3. However, USCIS has been accepting online and paper-filed applications and petitions. The suspended services include Biometrics appointments, INFOPASS appointments, interviews and Naturalization ceremonies. See here for full release. USCIS announced that […]