NYS Decreases Overtime Threshold Limit for Farm Workers

On February 22, 2023, the New York State Department of Labor finalized the new farm worker overtime regulations to decrease the overtime threshold limit for farm workers.   Currently, farm workers receive overtime pay after 60 hours of work. The new regulation will decrease that number to 56 hours starting on January 1, 2024, and Read More »

Significant Changes to Naturalization Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has released updated policy guidance and revisions to Form N-648, Medical Certification for Disability Exceptions.   Form N-648 is used by U.S. citizenship applicants requesting an exception to the English and civics testing requirements for naturalization due to a physical or developmental disability or mental impairment. The form is Read More »

New York Homeowners and Condominium Associations Should Articulate Clear Rules on Short-Term Rentals to Avoid Potential Pitfalls

As schools and colleges break for summer and vacation season gets into full swing, short-term rentals – offered on popular platforms like Airbnb and VRBO – are often a prime topic of discussion. Short-term rentals are not new. But they are consistently the subject of debate of local municipalities – some residents preferring the extra Read More »

Clarification of How USCIS Determines the Appropriate O-1B Classification for Those in the Film, Television and Media Industry

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services ("USCIS") recently updated the USCIS Policy Manual to explain how officers should determine whether a potential O-1B beneficiary should be evaluated as someone with extraordinary ability in the arts ("O-1B Arts") or extraordinary achievement in the motion picture or television industry ("O-1B MPTV"). While the visa category is the same, Read More »