By Shin-I Lowe, Shareholder, Littler With the enactment of H.R. 1, also known as One Big Beautiful Bill Act, there are some noteworthy changes to USCIS fees applicable to some immigration benefits that have traditionally been free or of lower cost. Applicants must submit the new fees with benefit requests postmarked on or after July 22, 2025. USCIS will reject any form postmarked on or after Aug. 21, 2025, without the proper fees.  Notably, • There is a new fee for applications for asylum –...

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In the current business climate holding on to employees is harder than ever; and holding on to great employees is even harder than that. The mainstay of attracting and keeping employees is (increased) salary of course, but over time companies have found many other benefits and perks. For the purposes of this article, benefits are things like various insurances, retirement plans, and vacation time, whereas perks are other less visible things like discounts to local retailers, on-site gyms, or...

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IPTI’s usual monthly newsletter - the “President’s Message” - contains, inter alia, some summarised news articles from around the world. This IPTI publication - “Property Tax in the News” - contains some of the more interesting news articles concerning property taxes in North America and Europe which is where many of our members have a particular interest. Links to these and more, similarly summarised, articles - from North America, Europe and around the globe - can be found in...

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In this edition of the Neural Network, we look at key AI developments from July and August. In regulatory and government updates, the GPAI Code of Practice is published; a mandatory template is released for GenAI model providers; the government launches an Inquiry into human rights and the regulation of AI; the government publishes an AI Action Plan for Justice; Trump's AI Action Plan is released; and the Law Commission releases an AI discussion paper. In AI enforcement and litigation news,...

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Particularly with a new US administration in place, the first half of 2025 is witnessing a substantial reconfiguring of regulatory and enforcement priorities that promise to have profound impacts on companies as the year progresses.  First, while the federal government de-prioritizes privacy regulation, US states are filling the gap, as evidenced by eight state regulators’ Bipartisan Consortium on privacy regulation and enforcement: “We’re proud to collaborate with states across the country to advance consistent, streamlined enforcement of privacy protections to address real-world...

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Expanding your business into the United States is an exciting opportunity for growth. That being said, it also comes with complex challenges such as managing payroll, benefits, and HR compliance. The U.S. has a highly regulated employment landscape, and failing to meet legal requirements can lead to costly penalties and operational setbacks. To navigate these challenges, companies typically consider two main solutions: a traditional HR management approach or partnering with a Professional Employer Organization (PEO). Both approaches benefit from working...

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Most employers are increasingly concerned about the retention of key and non-key employees. When an employee leaves, it can be expensive to replace them, not to mention the loss of productivity and knowledge.  A recent study has shown that many currently employed workers are unhappy in their current position. Some of the primary reasons for this unhappiness are the general feeling of being unappreciated and the thought that the grass is greener elsewhere. Given this situation, some sectors may experience a...

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Expanding into the United States offers exciting growth opportunities—but it also introduces a complex web of employment laws, tax obligations, and employee benefit expectations that can trip up even the most experienced international companies. If you’re looking to enter the U.S. market, understanding the most common HR and benefits compliance pitfalls is crucial. It can help you avoid costly missteps and build a strong, compliant foundation from day one. 1. Misclassifying Workers (W-2 Vs. 1099) In many countries, the difference between full-time...

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