On July 7, 2025, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (“CBP”) instructed airlines and other travel carriers on a new rule that they must submit "M" (male) or "F" (female) in the sex field of the pre-departure information they transmit to CBP through the Advanced Passenger Information System (APIS), even if the traveler's passport contains a sex indicator other than M or F or does not otherwise indicate the sex of the traveler. This new rule, which has been in practice since July 14, 2025, is based on Executive Order 14168, Defending Women from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Biological Truth to the Federal Government.
Read moreSummer Holiday
As August rolls in, we will be taking some time off on our blog and social media for summer holiday. (Well, we may have the occasional photo on Instagram!) However, we will post especially timely or urgent news items on our blog. Whether manufactured or real, like the rainbow we recently caught a glimpse of over the Statue of Liberty, we hope the rest of your summer brings rainbows and sunshine!
A Force for Good
Farewell Feast and Celebration
Last week, we had the absolute pleasure of celebrating some of our wonderful colleagues as they embark on their next big adventure—law school! While we’re sad to see them go, we couldn’t let them leave without a proper send-off. To mark the occasion, we gathered for a sunny summer feast at Shuka in NYC, a Mediterranean gem that should be on everyone’s foodie bucket list. The table was a parade of vibrant dishes including creamy hummus, smoky baba ghanoush, and an unforgettable steak skewer that had us all swooning. Laughter, stories, and a few misty eyes filled the evening as we toasted to the memories we've made and the exciting futures ahead. While saying goodbye was bittersweet, we’re beyond thrilled to cheer them on as they take on this next adventure and look forward to celebrating the evolution of the DLG team. Here's to bold beginnings, big dreams, and many more tasty meals to come!
Are Your I-9s in Order? What Every Employer Needs to Know About I-9 Compliance, Audits, and E-Verify
When onboarding new employees, most US employers are aware they must complete Form I-9 for every employee, but far fewer are prepared when the government comes calling. Given President Trump’s immigration directives, which focus heavily on enforcement efforts, the probability surrounding possible increases in site visits and surprise audits by various agencies including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (“ICE”) , maintaining accurate I-9 records is not an option, but a legal obligation with real consequences. Is your business ready?
Read moreUSCIS Reaches Fiscal Year 2026 H-1B CAP
United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (“USCIS”) announced on July 18, 2025, they had reached the H-1B Cap for fiscal year 2026. The Service reported having received enough petitions to reach the congressionally mandated limits for the H-1B visa regular cap, as well as the advanced degree exemption (master’s cap) for FY2026. The agency conducted a single lottery selection from selections that were submitted in March 2025 and will not be conducting any further selection lotteries for FY2026.
For those not selected, remember there may still be hope.
Which Border Did I Cross?
“San Juan Heal” by Nina Chanel Abney
Lincoln Center, renowned for its world-class performances, is now showcasing its vibrant artistic side to the public with no ticket required. Outside David Geffen Hall, the home of the New York Philharmonic, a bold graphic façade wraps the building, transforming its exterior into a vibrant tapestry of vivid colors, dynamic patterns, and striking imagery that brings the energy of the arts into the streets. “San Juan Heal” by Nina Chanel Abney, who previously shared some “NYC LOVE” with us, pays tribute to what existed before the urban renewal project that transformed 16.3 acres of the San Juan Hill neighborhood into Lincoln Center: a culturally rich, densely populated, working-class community. Within the piece, you’ll find glimpses of those who once called this area home, including jazz and bebop legends like James P. Johnson and Thelonious Monk, dedicated schoolteachers, and pioneering healthcare workers such as Edith Carter and Elizabeth Tyler. Through vivid colors, graphic shapes, and bold typography, “San Juan Heal” reclaims this important history and invites New Yorkers to remember the rich cultural spirit that still resonates throughout the neighborhood.
The New York Times: “Trump’s Purge of Foreign Workers Arrives at Amazon’s Warehouses”
The US economy is starting to be shaken up by the Trump Administration’s revocation of humanitarian parole programs that gave foreign nationals the ability to work legally in the country. President Trump’s tough stance on immigration and recent government actions have forced many immigrants, who were legally residing in the US and had authorization to work, out of their jobs. As the Trump administration revoked humanitarian parole programs for nationals of Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua, and Venezuela (“CHNV”) and Temporary protected status (“TPS”) for nationals of Venezuela and Haiti the numbers of foreign nationals with valid work permits has taken a dive. As a result, Amazon has been faced with a dwindling work force in their warehouses around the country after certain employees who were eligible to work under CHNV or TPS could not obtain new work authorization documents and were consequently dismissed in late June as a result of their loss of work authorization.
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