Summary At a Glance The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has proposed a new $103,265 fee for certain H-1B cap-subject petitions filed with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS). The proposed rule was published in the Federal Register on August 25, 2026, and comments are due by September 24, 2026. The fee is not […]
Summary At a Glance Federal agencies have recently announced developments affecting different stages of the employment authorization and immigration benefits processes. For employers, particularly those participating in E-Verify or sponsoring foreign workers, the changes reinforce the importance of maintaining accurate employment authorization records and carefully managing immigration-related processes. The most immediate change involves an expansion […]
Summary At a Glance The U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) issued two opinion letters on July 22, 2026, addressing when travel and other activities performed by employees who work from home may be compensable under the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA). 1. Mid-Day Travel Between Home and the Office 2. Travel to the First Client […]
Summary At a Glance Federal contractors and subcontractors (contractors) face changes to their affirmative action requirements following three Final Rules issued by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP) on August 21, 2026. The rules address Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act (Section 503), the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance […]
Summary At a Glance On July 21, 2026, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) announced that the Affordable Care Act (ACA) affordability threshold will increase from 9.96% in 2026 to 10.22% for plan years beginning in 2027. The higher threshold provides applicable large employers (ALEs) with slightly more flexibility when determining the amount employees may be required to contribute toward employer-sponsored […]
The Internal Revenue Service recently increased the optional standard mileage rate for business travel to 76 cents per mile. The rate increased from 72.5 cents per mile and applies to eligible business mileage beginning July 1, 2026. Although the change was announced on July 13, 2026, it applies retroactively to mileage incurred on or after July 1. The rate applies to electric, […]
Summary At a Glance The U.S. Department of Labor has proposed a new electronic disclosure safe harbor for group health plans subject to the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA). If finalized, the rule would allow plan administrators to post required disclosures on a website or mobile app and notify participants electronically when the documents are available. […]
Summary At a Glance On June 26, 2026, the National Labor Relations Board’s Division of Advice issued an Advice Response Memo signaling a change in how the agency may evaluate employee non-compete agreements under the National Labor Relations Act. The memorandum recommended dismissing charges involving six-month non-compete and confidentiality provisions signed by former employees who later accepted employment […]
Summary At a Glance The Department of Homeland Security published a final rule on July 17, 2026, summarizing that the amended regulations will provide additional protections and oversight, and allow DHS to “better evaluate” whether nonimmigrants are maintaining status while in the U.S. The rule, effective September 15, 2026, may affect employers that hire F-1 students through Optional […]
Summary At a Glance The U.S. Department of Labor’s Veterans’ Employment and Training (VETS) filing system will open on August 1, 2026 for submission of 2026 VETS-4212 reports. While August 1st is the start of the “official filing cycle,” employers are advised to wait until Monday, August 3, 2026 before filing to ensure the system […]
